Episode 39 - How to Approach Front-end Development
Melanie Archer joined us on this episode to enlighten us about how to approach front-end development. She breaks it down into easier steps and principles that anybody can follow to get a good front-end built in little time. She packs years worth of experience into her recommendations. This is a must listen!
Note: There is some background white noise from Melanie’s mic, which we tried to minizmize.
Show notes
You’re an experienced backend developer suddenly given front-end tasks—where to start?
- Understand basic user interface principles; ”common concepts” of how user perceive the interface subconsciously. Consistency over “pretty.”
- Keep to standards users are accustomed to—familiar labels and placement of elements.
- Find help at the Yahoo! design pattern library: https://developer.yahoo.com/ypatterns/ or PatternTap: http://patterntap.com
- Learn the basics of information architecture. Read primers like The Elements of User Experience by Jesse James Garrett (http://jjg.net/elements/)
- How to start building an interface from scratch
- How to start building an interface from Photoshop or designer’s comp
- The role of HTML/CSS frameworks like the HTM5 Boilerplate or Twitter Bootstrap
- How to organize CSS
- How to improve. One hint—look at prospective interview questions for front-end developers: https://github.com/darcyclarke/Front-end-Developer-Interview-Questions#readme
Talentopoly links - Noteworthy links posted on Talentopoly in the last two weeks
