Design Engineer Logo

Design Engineering at Vercel

An in-depth look at the role of Design Engineers at Vercel, explaining what they do, their skills, and how they contribute to creating exceptional user experiences.

Design Engineering at Vercel

Use Case

Designers who code would find this resource valuable because:

  1. It provides insights into an emerging role that combines design and engineering skills.
  2. It offers a clear understanding of what Design Engineers do and how they contribute to product development.
  3. It showcases real-world examples of Design Engineering work at a leading tech company.
  4. It highlights the importance of collaboration between designers and engineers.
  5. It emphasizes the focus on user experience, performance, and accessibility in web development.
  6. It can inspire designers who code to expand their skill set and explore new career opportunities.

Overview

Design Engineering at Vercel: Bridging the Gap Between Design and Development

Design Engineering is an emerging field that combines the aesthetic sensibility of design with the technical skills of engineering. This article from Vercel provides an in-depth look at how Design Engineers contribute to their company's success and the broader web development ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Role Definition: Design Engineers at Vercel blend design skills with technical expertise, allowing them to understand problems deeply and ship polished solutions autonomously.

  2. Focus Areas: They prioritize exceptional user experiences, including delightful interactions, reusable components, page speed, cross-browser support, accessibility, and respecting user preferences.

  3. Workflows: Design Engineers collaborate closely with designers, integrate with product teams, and take on independent ownership of projects.

  4. Toolbox: The team uses a diverse set of tools and skills, including Figma, code-based design, 3D modeling, and video editing.

  5. Real-World Impact: Their work is visible across Vercel's products, from the internal design system to marketing websites and product documentation.

  6. Career Opportunity: The article highlights the growing demand for Design Engineers and encourages interested individuals to apply, regardless of their specific background.

This resource is invaluable for designers who code, as it provides a clear picture of how their skills can be applied in a professional setting. It emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between design and development, showcasing how this hybrid role can lead to more efficient product development and higher-quality user experiences.

By reading this article, designers who code can gain insights into potential career paths, understand the skills they might need to develop further, and see real-world examples of how design and engineering can be seamlessly integrated in a modern tech company.

How to Use

To make the most of this resource:

  1. Read the article thoroughly to understand the concept of Design Engineering.
  2. Take note of the various skills and tools mentioned in the "Design Engineering toolbox" section.
  3. Explore the examples of Design Engineering work mentioned in the article, such as Vercel's Geist font and design system documentation.
  4. Reflect on how you can apply Design Engineering principles to your own projects.
  5. Consider how you might collaborate more effectively with engineers or designers in your current role.
  6. If interested, check out the job posting mentioned at the end of the article for potential career opportunities.