Ask HN: Does a UX Designer need to code?

2 points by IamZeroBalance 5 years ago | 2 comments

Just wondering if it's really necessary for a UX Designer to know how to code or have at least basic understanding of the languages of programming?

Blaiz0r 5 years ago |

Not really know, but it depends on the size of the company and responsibilities expected.

In medium to large companies I've worked at where there is generally a separation of responsibilities, a UX Designer is responsible for understanding the strategy of a business and its products, and designing experiences for users to guide them through a successful journey on the platform.

They will typically work closely with Product Owners and User Researchers to understand business requirements and have some analytical data to support their decisions.

Deliverables will typically be wireframes and prototypes built in visual tools like Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, or even pen and paper.

I've worked in places that also have some kind of UX Developer or Creative Technologist that can put some of these designs into code for more interactive protoypes and Proof of Concepts, generally used for further testing.

_bear_ 5 years ago |

It would be a distinct advantage.

Ideally you would be able to understand the best way forward by trying out and using the framework or design system that has been mandated.

Ideally you should be able to provide solutions that do not require additional overhead for the development team implementing the UX.

If you have your own knowledge of how to construct UI from the framework or design system, you will not produce hard to implement UX.