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Ask HN: What to do as a back-end dev and with many app ideas but can't do UX?

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Ask HN: What to do as a back-end dev and with many app ideas but can't do UX?

#1
As a backend deveveloper, I often have many webapp ideas, but I can't do design/UX to save my life, so I never finish things because I get discouraged of how bad it looks in the beginning.

Does this happen to anyone else? This is so frustrating and discouraging. I often get unmotivated to finish things because of this issue. How do you guys deal with it?

I'm talking strictly about side/weekend projects.

Re: Ask HN: What to do as a back-end dev and with many app ideas but can't do UX?

#4
Maybe, 1. Get a side project partner/buddy. 2. Outsource to some freelancer. If you spend some bucks, u will get serious about it. 3. Learn basic design or use simple designing kit.

If the idea is good or useful, you will find some helping hands from the initial user base itself.

if you looking for low-cost full-time remote engineers or designers send your requirements to ajinvwilson@gmail.com

Re: Ask HN: What to do as a back-end dev and with many app ideas but can't do UX?

#6
Make the ugly one. Be encouraged by the functionality, rather than the form. There is nothing wrong with a prototype that solves a problem but needs a facelift.

If people are willing to use it, figure out how to improve the visual design -- delegate, sell it, design sabbatical, take some classes, whatever. This may require throwing some work away, but it's still a functioning thing.

Re: Ask HN: What to do as a back-end dev and with many app ideas but can't do UX?

#7
Is there anyone in your network who would be interested in working on something together?

As someone mentioned, there are also plenty of great themes and templates that you can purchase to get things started. You'll need HTML/CSS skills of course but a lot of the design elements have already been completed.

Re: Ask HN: What to do as a back-end dev and with many app ideas but can't do UX?

#9
Random advice from the internet:

+ If it solves a meaningful problem, a meaningful number of people will not care about the UX. That's why people can build tools lacking a polished UX for themselves...and their coworkers...and small business...and enterprise.

+ The tools for accurately solving complicated variable problems are often complicated themselves. A high end Nikon camera has billions of combinations of settings. The interface exposing that combinatorial complexity becomes manageable with a few years of relevant experience...that few years of experience is better than the alternatives for someone who is trying to solve the complex variable problems...and not better for someone who isn't and won't be.

+ Design is iterative. More iterative than agile TDD, because a new design suggests a new set of tests...the acceptance criteria keep moving.

+ If it really matters, hire a professional designer. Don't expect designers to work for free unless you are developing something that makes their life easier...like design software. Designers get lots of chances to work for free on things that benefit someone else.

Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: What to do as a back-end dev and with many app ideas but can't do UX?

#10
Honestly, if design wireframes are giving you trouble, start with something like Adobe XD - it's not the most useful tool for functional apps but it'll at least help you block everything out and see how you'd like it to look and feel.
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