This is the fifteenth article in a series about the Design Process.
This is the fifteenth article in a series about the Design Process.
By now, your project has successfully passed through the key planning and design phases. Prototypes are approved, specifications are written, and content is finalized. That means it’s time to hand everything over to the development team and relax… right?
Not quite.
The “build phase” marks the official start of active, hands-on development. It’s when the product begins to take shape in code, but that doesn’t mean designers or other non-dev team members should disappear. In fact, this phase is when cross-team collaboration matters more than ever.
Although developers now take the lead, they are building based on the foundations you’ve laid — the research, strategy, wireframes, mockups, and specifications you’ve worked hard to create. The success of the build phase depends not just on the developers’ skills, but also on how accessible and involved the rest of the team remains during the process.
Designers, writers, researchers, and stakeholders all have an ongoing role to play. From clarifying design intent to addressing unexpected challenges, your input keeps the vision on track. If a developer needs clarification on a layout behavior, image usage, or UI interaction — and you’re not around — the solution may deviate from the intended user experience. These compromises, while sometimes small, can snowball into larger usability issues.
To prevent this, encourage open communication between departments. Sit in on sprint planning sessions, stand-ups, or review meetings when possible. Actively listen to the discussion. Is something being implemented in a way that contradicts the design’s purpose? Has a feature been misunderstood or overlooked? These are questions best addressed in real-time, rather than caught during a late-stage QA review.
Why This Involvement Matters
Even the most thorough documentation can’t anticipate every scenario. Functional specs are essential, and should eliminate most ambiguity, but development often reveals edge cases or technical limitations that require quick decisions. Being available during the build phase ensures that design fidelity is maintained, UX goals aren’t unintentionally compromised, and Project deadlines are met without unnecessary rework.
When problems arise, they’re not just “development problems.” They’re project problems. Whether it’s a missing asset, a layout that breaks on smaller screens, or a content update that wasn’t communicated, a collaborative team solves these faster.
Potential Pitfalls
It’s easy to assume your part is done once the designs are approved, but walking away too soon can lead to serious setbacks. If designers or content creators are unavailable to answer questions or resolve blockers, developers may be forced to make assumptions. Those assumptions, no matter how well-intentioned, could lead to a finished product that feels disconnected from the original vision.
The build phase is where your work comes to life . Don’t miss the opportunity to help it shine.
This is step 15 of 17 from the Design Process Playbook
Next: Before You Launch: Break the Build, Not the Trust
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