Question 1

What should design handoff documentation include?

Accepted Answer

Measurements (spacing, sizes), colors (hex codes), typography (fonts, sizes, weights), assets (exportable images), component behavior, and responsive breakpoints. The more explicit, the fewer questions.

Question 2

Is Figma Dev Mode enough or do I need Zeplin?

Accepted Answer

Figma Dev Mode is excellent and often sufficient—developers can inspect specs, export assets, and see CSS. Zeplin adds some features but isn't necessary for most teams. Evaluate if Figma meets your needs first.

Question 3

How do I organize Figma files for handoff?

Accepted Answer

Separate pages for each feature or flow. Clear naming conventions. Mark designs as ready-for-dev vs. in-progress. Include a specs page with global styles. Developers should find what they need without asking.

Question 4

What causes the most handoff friction?

Accepted Answer

Ambiguous states (loading, error, empty), responsive behavior not specified, interactive behaviors not documented, and outdated designs. Address these proactively. If developers are guessing, documentation failed.

Question 5

Should designers create Storybook components?

Accepted Answer

Designers should contribute to component documentation. Some teams have designers build Storybook stories. At minimum, designers should verify Storybook components match designs. Collaboration works better than handoff.

Question 6

How do I handle design changes during development?

Accepted Answer

Communicate changes clearly, update the source file, and mark previous versions as outdated. Track changes with version history. Small changes happen—major changes need discussion before implementation work is wasted.

Question 7

What is pixel-perfect implementation?

Accepted Answer

Matching designs exactly: same spacing, fonts, colors. Reasonable expectation for marketing pages. Less critical for apps where responsiveness and usability matter more than exact pixels. Define expectations upfront.

Question 8

How do I export assets from Figma?

Accepted Answer

Select elements, add export settings (PNG, SVG, PDF), and export. Use slices for complex exports. SVG for icons, PNG for images, PDF for print. Developers can also export directly from Figma.

Question 9

How do I communicate interactive behavior?

Accepted Answer

Create prototype flows showing interactions. Add annotations for complex behaviors. Record video walkthroughs. Interactive specs > static mockups for understanding intent.

Question 10

What is the role of design tokens in handoff?

Accepted Answer

Tokens are named values (colors, spacing) shared between design and code. They're the contract between systems. Tools like Tokens Studio for Figma sync tokens to code. Tokens reduce handoff friction significantly.

Question 11

How do I handle responsive design handoff?

Accepted Answer

Design key breakpoints (mobile, tablet, desktop). Document how elements reflow. Specify which elements hide/show. Developers need to understand the logic, not just see the output at each size.

Question 12

Should I include developer notes in design files?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use annotations for non-obvious behavior, edge cases, and implementation notes. A notes layer or component keeps context with designs. Notes prevent misinterpretation.

Question 13

How do developers access design files?

Accepted Answer

Add developers as viewers or commenters in Figma. Share links to specific pages or frames. Dev Mode doesn't require full Figma licenses. Make access easy—friction reduces adoption.

Question 14

What is a redline document?

Accepted Answer

Marked-up designs showing exact measurements and specs. Traditional approach before tools like Figma. Now mostly automated—Figma shows measurements on hover. Manual redlines are rarely needed.

Question 15

How do I verify implementation matches design?

Accepted Answer

Design reviews during development, not just at the end. Compare screenshots side-by-side. Use browser extensions that overlay designs. Catch issues early before they compound.

Question 16

What causes implementation to drift from design?

Accepted Answer

Technical constraints discovered during build, outdated designs, unclear specs, and lack of verification. Regular syncs and design reviews catch drift. Expect some drift—minimize it through process.

Question 17

How do I handle platform-specific design needs?

Accepted Answer

Document platform differences (iOS vs Android conventions). Provide platform-specific assets. Some designs need variants per platform. Discuss with developers early—they know platform requirements.

Question 18

When is "good enough" acceptable?

Accepted Answer

When polish doesn't impact user goals, when speed to market matters more, when you're still validating. Perfection isn't always the goal. Define quality bar for each project and stick to it.

I need to hand off designs to developers efficiently

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