What Is a Front End Developer?

A front end developer, also known as a front end web developer, is a professional responsible for the design and implementation of the interface. The users require this interface so that they can access the application in question. A web designer is a professional who creates a website is appearance and design. And the front end developer makes sure that the design works online by using coding languages such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

We should pause for a moment to clarify the differences between a front end developer, back end developer, and full stack developer. Let's put this in simple terms: a front end developer is responsible for the parts of an app or website that users see and interact with. A back end developer takes care of the “behind the scenes” matters such as infrastructure and databases. The full-stack developer is a mixture of both, a jack of all trades that can handle the whole design process from the beginning to the end.

Note that there is a trend these days where the line between the front end and back end development has been blurring. Primarily since many of the tasks that fall in the domain of back end developers are being increasingly handled by the front end developers.

As a final aside, there are also full-stack engineers. They are full-stack developers who have project management experience, adept at disciplines in the configuring, managing, and maintaining computer networks and systems

Front End Developer Roles and Responsibilities

If you're wondering what a front end developer does, he / she must:

• Decide web page design and structure
• Develop features to enhance the users' experience
• Striking a balance between functional and aesthetic design
• Make sure the web design is smartphone-capable
• Build reusable code for future use
• Make sure web pages are optimized for best speed and scalability
• Employ a diverse selection of markup languages to design web pages
• Keep the brand consist throughout the whole design

Front End Developer Skills in 2022

Since the front end developer is the rock star of website/app development, they need to have a well-stocked personal toolbox. So a front end developer skills include the need to:

• Have a degree in Computer Science or similar field
• Be proficient in coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery
• Understand server-side CSS
• Be experienced with graphic design applications (e.g., Adobe Illustrator)
• Understand the principles of SEO
• Have excellent skills in problem-solving
• Be proficient in communicating with team members, bosses, and clients
• Have good interpersonal skills

Actually, web front end development is considered a multi-discipline. Most companies prefer to hire front end developers who are adept not only in coding but also in digital psychology and design. Understanding color theory & visual patterns, and their effect on the user are important. Knowledge of typography is also essential. Why is this type better than the previous one I use? Which types do visitors react positively the most? These are just some of the design-related questions that a web front end developer often deals with.

Why Knowledge and Understanding of Design Matters

A web front end developer's primary job is coding and ensuring that a website's front-end - a.k.a the one that viewers see and react to - is engaging and capable of generating interest leading to conversions. So, why should a front end developer possess and nurture design skills? The answer is simple: a developer who understands and knows how to apply even the basic design factors creates a front end that positively impacts users and their choices. Additionally, combining technical and analytical expertise with creative skills catapults a front end developer's portfolio ahead of other developers.

How to Add Creativity to Web Front End Projects

So, how can a web front end developer add creativity to projects? Here are some simple tips and suggestions.

1.Practice first then practice more.

Before anything else, find time to practice. There are several ways you can do this

• Use free online tutorial websites like freeCodeCamp.org. You can ask questions and view tutorials on various front end development-related matters
• Clone a website that you like. Creating a clone of a website is a good way to practice not only your technical skills but also your creativity. Find time to explore your chosen website. Take note of essential elements like typography, colors, media, content, and structure. If this is your first time coding, choose a site that has a simple CSS and HTML configuration. Pick only JavaScript website if you already have significant coding experience
• Join Startechup Academy. It's a community of front and back end web developers. You can ask for tips, advises, and suggestions from the experts. You can also join its scheduled livestream on YouTube, Facebook Live, and Twitch. All these are for FREE

2.Pay attention to typography and color theory

The fonts and colors you use for a website greatly impacts its visitors. There are specific guidelines for using fonts - and applying color theory is highly recommended. Here are some examples you should consider:

For fonts:

• If you want a professional-like appearance and effect, use simple fonts
• For a classic or timeless look, use display or traditional fonts
• For light and fun websites, choose playful fonts

You can have two fonts on a single page as this helps create beautiful contrast. However, take note of proper font pairing. For example, do not pair an old or traditional font with another traditional font. Check out several online resources for the best font pairs

For colors:

• For professional or corporate websites, stick to using toned down or light colors.
• If you want to be consistent in your branding, use the brand's official colors.
• To create a dramatic feel, go for contrasting dark colors.
• For a positive and energetic effect, choose bright and cheerful colors.

3.Create enough negative space

The word “enough” is specified because too much negative or white space is not good for any website. A negative space is what you call that empty area between page elements (such as photos). If you have the right amount of white space, the website will achieve the following

• Less cluttered look, and elements stand out easily because of the negative space between them.
• More balanced because the elements are evenly spaced. The central area has more relevant content and the edges are freed of clutter.
• Margin is more prominent, which makes pages look clean and organized.

4.Add the right icons and images

Creative web front end projects need visually stimulating and engaging icons and images. So, you should add some to the website you are creating. You can start by adding a menu icon. If you do not have enough high-quality images, you can download some royalty-free photos from Pixabay. Don't forget to consider the overall theme of the website, as well as the color scheme. Your chosen images should match with or compliment them.

5.Animate - but not too much

Regardless of the type of website you are designing, visitors are bound to be attracted to anything visual. Animation is visually entertaining, so you should consider adding some to the site. It is important to note, though, that too much of it can be distracting or irritating, so be sure to add just the right type and amount.

Challenge your creativity by creating an interactive image that animates when users hover over it. You can also add simple animations to buttons when viewers click on it. You just have to explore your creative juices to add some visual elements to your web front end projects.

These are just some of the best - and doable - ways for a developer to turn web front end projects into creative masterpieces. Actually, the trick is to keep practicing and creating. The only way a front end developer can improve both his or her coding and design skills is to keep practicing. Coding is, in itself, already creative, yet in a technical way. So, your programming skills are already in you; you only need to bring them out and nurture them.

The Disciplines of Web Design

Fundamentally, the web is a content delivery system. In the early days of dial-up modems and green-on-black monochrome monitors, text was all we could deliver with any kind of speed. We listened to the sweet song of the 2400bit/s modem, tried to make the best pixel art that we could, or settled for creating art from ASCII characters. And we liked it.

Nobody liked it; it was terrible. But steadily things improved and now the web is filled with streaming video and complex animations, delivered to a variety of devices with a dizzying assortment of screen sizes and capabilities. Text is still the main method of communication on the web and most likely it always will be, so the practice of “Web Design” centers largely around how to present the written word and navigate a nested hierarchy of information.

Designing websites, whether they are simple pages or complex applications, relies on a wide spectrum of design disciplines.