Design Handoff: Bridging the Gap Between Design and Development
The design handoff process is a crucial step in the product development lifecycle, as it ensures a seamless transition of designs from designers to developers. With the right design handoff tool, you can streamline collaboration, reduce errors, and save time. In this article, we’ll explore the best design handoff tools to use in 2023 and the scenarios they’re most suited for.
Figma: A Game-Changer in Design Handoff
Figma’s inbuilt design handoff features stand out from the rest. By integrating design handoff into its core app, Figma eliminates the need for a separate web app, making the process more seamless and efficient. Its features are on par with Zeplin, the highest-rated design handoff tool, according to the Design Tools Survey. Figma supports macOS, Windows, and web platforms, translating designs to CSS, XML, and Swift code. Its measuring tool, versioning, and asset download features make it easy for developers to work with designs.
Other Design Handoff Tools: Sketch, Adobe XD, and Axure RP
While Figma leads the pack, other design handoff tools have their strengths. Sketch’s design handoff tool, although separate from its core app, offers a unique feature – exporting color variables as CSS or JSON tokens. Adobe XD’s design handoff tool is comparable to Sketch, but its integration with other Adobe products makes it a popular choice. Axure RP, a lesser-known tool, offers a well-rounded design handoff experience, including conditional logic and functional components.
Zeplin: A Third-Party Design Handoff Tool
Zeplin, a dedicated design handoff tool, is considered the best in its class. It supports multiple code languages, including Sass, Less, Swift, XML, Stylus, and React Native. While it requires exporting designs from your UI design tool, Zeplin offers advanced collaboration features, such as labelled annotations, user flow documentation, and design system tools. Its design-to-code translation and connected components make it an excellent choice for developers.
Choosing the Right Design Handoff Tool
In conclusion, Figma’s seamless design handoff features make it an excellent choice for most cases. However, Zeplin’s advanced features and support for multiple code languages make it a valuable addition to your toolbox. Ultimately, the right design handoff tool depends on your specific needs and workflow. Experiment with different options to find the best fit for your team.