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