• Front-end development’s identity crisis

    I’m not a “[full-stack] developer”, regardless of what my last job title says.

    I’m not even a front-end developer, thanks to the JavaScript–industrial complex.

    I’m a front-of-the-front-end developer, but that’s too long.

    So, I’m a web designer. And I also specialise in accessibility, design systems, and design.

    ...The current landscape of front-end development presents challenges for web designers like me. As I navigate through the complexities of our industry, I will continue to advocate for the importance of expertise in these undervalued areas.

    An Article by Elly Loel www.ellyloel.com
    Front-end development’s identity crisis Elly Loel

    I'm a web designer

    Okay so, I’m a front-of-the-front-end developer...
    While those words do accurately describe what I do, it’s way too long. No-one is actually going to use that as their title. So we need something shorter that still conveys the same meaning. People have come up with new titles like:

    • UX engineer
    • Design engineer
    • Front-end designer
    • Etc.

    ...But, there’s a better option that’s been around since before even front-end was being used. We had the right title in front of us all along, web designer!

    I’m a web designer

    Why do I think that this is the best title? Here’s why.
    I’m designing for the web. The infinitely flexible web. The web that doesn’t have one screen size, one browser, one operating system, or one device. The web that can be used by anyone, anywhere, on any internet connection, on any device, on any operating system, on any browser, with any screen size. I’m designing with the web. Using the web platform (HTML, CSS, JS, ARIA, etc.), not a bloated harmful abstraction. I have a deep understanding of HTML and its semantics. I love CSS, I know how and when to utilise its many features, and I keep up-to-date as more are added. I have a strong understanding of modern JavaScript and most importantly I know when not to use it.

    • The Great Divide Chris Coyier

      On one side, an army of developers whose interests, responsibilities, and skill sets are heavily revolved around JavaScript.

      On the other, an army of developers whose interests, responsibilities, and skill sets are focused on other areas of the front end, like HTML, CSS, design, interaction, patterns, accessibility, etc.

      Image from css-tricks.com on 2021-02-17 at 10.52.57 AM.png
    • We Need to Talk About the Front Web Angela Ricci

      The experience we have using the web deserves our attention; when the web loses, we lose too.

      The front web is systematically undermined, and the main targets are precisely the aspects that make the web a powerful medium.

      While these attacks are systematic, I'm not sure how conscious and intentional they are: are we never satisfied with what we have and we keep trying to improve it, or are we just “breaking things”?

      Whether we are breaking things around or trying to improve the front web, what is clear to me is that instead of getting the most of it, we just keep making it heavy, inaccessible, unmanageable, and offering a very bad UX. It is hard to say who is benefiting from these attempts.