No Figma, I won't fit in your little box
17 hours ago
- #Collaborative Tools
- #Design-Development Gap
- #Web Innovation
- Design and code were once unified, but as the web grew, roles split into 'Designer' and 'Developer', leading to the 'hand-off' problem.
- The hand-off is a symptom of the deeper issue: designers and developers speak different languages (e.g., 'background' vs. 'fill', flexbox vs. auto-layout).
- Designers shifted from coding to tools like Figma, narrowing their focus to visuals and leaving functionality (interactions, accessibility) to developers.
- CSS has outpaced design tools in capabilities (layout, animations, interactivity), limiting designers not by the platform but by outdated tools and processes.
- Slow, cumbersome hand-off processes stifle creativity and iteration, which are essential for great design.
- Nordcraft was created to unify design and development, leveraging HTML/CSS with visual interfaces for rapid iteration, avoiding rigid role divisions.
- Nordcraft’s team blends design and engineering strengths, rejecting traditional labels ('Designer'/'Developer') to foster collaboration and innovation.
- The Nordcraft editor, built in Nordcraft, exemplifies the benefits of this integrated approach after three years of use.
- Traditional tools and processes (e.g., Jira tickets, assembly-line workflows) hinder agility; Nordcraft offers a new, flexible paradigm.