How do designers approach the entire design process, from start to finish (i.e. handing off to developers), using design systems and UI kits?

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The design process: from start to end

It really depends on the company; everyone does it slightly differently, so there’s not a one-size-fits-all.
But let’s break it down:

Design systems & UI kits

  • Design Systems are great but can be overkill for newer designers, they’re more advanced and you probably won’t need them early on.
  • Instead of diving into complex design systems, you can take advantage of UI kits to speed up your workflow.

Design handoffs

  • Handoff styles can vary, but the key is to keep your developers in the loop the whole time. Don’t wait until the last second to share your files.
  • Keep your Figma (or whatever tool you’re using) files clean and organised as you go. Nobody wants to dig through a messy file!

Overall recommendation

Focus on mastering the UX process and the fundamentals before worrying about end-to-end design and development. A solid grasp of the basics will set you up for success and make the more complex aspects easier down the road.
Alternatively, check out UX Playbook—it starts with stakeholder interviews and project kickoffs, offering a clear, practical guide for your UX journey.
Finally, don’t worry about knowing everything right away—much of the learning comes naturally as you gain hands-on experience on the job.
 
More actionable tips and fewer headaches: Join designers from 40+ countries using UX Playbook. Get detailed step-by-step guides and templates to supercharge your UX process.

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