OUGD504 - Studio brief 02 - Research

The relationship between the designer and developer is a consideration for this brief and following on from the studio talk with Only, they discussed in brief the relationship they had with developers and how good developers will understand the designers ideas and vice versa. So for research I want to look more into what makes a good relationship between the two as its key to a good digital design.

I found numerous webpages and articles which talk about the ways in which designers and developers can work together and decided to highlight the most common factors I came across. From what I found communication is the most useful tool, positive open communication often equates to good design but miscommunication can lead to an unhealthy relationship as designers and developers often see things very differently so open communication can help utilise their own skills, talents, and strengths. Designers and developers must trust each other, trusting that your counterpart will deliver his or hers tasks enables you to focus on your own work and create innovative work that you trust will replicated in the final solution. Designers being open minded and listening to ideas from developers can take a project one step further, as developers see things differently to designers it gives a new scope on the project which only equates to improvement in my eyes. When looking into what makes a good team between the two, commonly working in close proximity cropped up. During the Only talk they mentioned how on some projects the developer has been based in Poland or Holland yet they've been able to produce good work but when researching it is known that working in close proximity together encourages faster and more open communication. There's something about working face-to-face that builds more understanding and respect between designers and developers.