UX engineering, in practice
Practical takes, honest opinions, and the occasional fictional UX engineer.
Design systems are easy until you ship oneDesign systems are easy until you ship one
Design systems look simple from a distance. A shared library. A consistent UI. Faster delivery. Fewer bugs. Fewer debates. It's a compelling story, and it's not wrong.
Everything you need to know about design tokensEverything you need to know about design tokens
Design tokens are the foundation of any scalable design system. This guide explains what they are, how they work, how to name and structure them, and how to use them across Figma and code.
How to improve your Figma-to-code workflowHow to improve your Figma-to-code workflow
Figma-to-code handoff breaks down in predictable ways. This article explains why, and gives practical steps for designers and developers to fix it together.
What your component library actually needsWhat your component library actually needs
What a component library needs varies significantly depending on your rendering model. This guide covers the bare essentials for server-rendered monoliths, client-rendered frameworks, and hybrid frameworks.
Precision work and learning to slow downPrecision work and learning to slow down
Learning to slow down as a developer after years of being rewarded for speed. Reflections on pace, precision, and building systems that last.
They beat the care out of meThey beat the care out of me
One of my old bosses had a phrase he used when a customer pushed too far. He'd lean back in his chair, crack his knuckles, and say, "They beat the care out of me."
The reality of working in UI/UX right nowThe reality of working in UI/UX right now
Trying to stay relevant in the game as a UI/UX developer. Thoughts on AI, shifting expectations, burnout, and what keeps me hopeful about what's next.
Learning to live with the ghosts in your codebaseLearning to live with the ghosts in your codebase
A lighthearted look at legacy code, why we don't just <em>fix it</em>, and how to survive the haunted hallways of old decisions with a bit of grace.
Design systems and component libraries for the rest of usDesign systems and component libraries for the rest of us
A lighthearted look at building design systems without the ceremony, complexity, or committee-induced paralysis.