Practical workflow tactics for interface design projects. Covers the no-stress design process, low-fidelity design (when and how to wireframe), responsive design, platform guidelines (iOS HIG and Material), organizing design files, design reviews, developer handoff, and prototyping strategy. Use when planning a design project, deciding on process, discussing wireframes, preparing for handoff, or thinking about responsive design. Trigger on: wireframe, low fidelity, process, workflow, handoff, responsive, prototype, organize, present, review, stakeholder, developer, iOS guidelines, material design, platform guidelines.
Practical workflow tactics for interface design projects. Covers the no-stress design process, low-fidelity design (when and how to wireframe), responsive design, platform guidelines (iOS HIG and Material), organizing design files, design reviews, developer handoff, and prototyping strategy. Use when planning a design project, deciding on process, discussing wireframes, preparing for handoff, or thinking about responsive design. Trigger on: wireframe, low fidelity, process, workflow, handoff, responsive, prototype, organize, present, review, stakeholder, developer, iOS guidelines, material design, platform guidelines.
Tactics
Practical workflow tactics for executing design projects effectively.
The No-Stress Design Process
Don't start with a blank canvas and pray. Follow this:
Ask questions. Anything you can't confidently explain about the project means you're not equipped to design it. Know the stakeholders, who has final call, colors off-limits, what they hate about current design.
Determine direction. Based on what you've learned, experiment with typefaces, color moods, adjectives. Mock up the same component in 3-4 different type treatments. Typography sets the tone for everything.
Focus on components, not pages. Design the navigation, a card, a button, a header background — in abstract. Not a full homepage. These pieces establish the visual language without the pressure of a complete layout.
Have conversations, not presentations. Share early and often. "Here's a direction we could take" beats "here's the final design." Get gut reactions. Paint a picture of what could be, not what is.
This builds trust incrementally and avoids the terrifying big reveal that risks total rejection.
Low Fidelity Design
When to wireframe
Project is big and complex with lots of moving parts
Team is large with multiple stakeholders
Functionality isn't clear yet
You need developer input on feasibility before investing in visual design
When NOT to wireframe
Solid UI foundation already exists (you're extending, not creating)
Functionality is straightforward
You're doing a visual refresh on existing structure
Time is extremely limited and the scope is clear
How to do it well
Call them "low fidelity designs" not "wireframes" — less baggage
Use a vanilla system: one typeface, black/white/gray/one blue accent
Make primary actions unmistakable (blue, bold, black borders if needed)
Focus on layout, functionality, and flow — save typography/color/style for later
Spend as little time as possible while gaining ground on functionality decisions
Transition to high fidelity once the team agrees on what the thing does
Responsive Design
Start mobile-first. The constrained canvas forces prioritization.
At each breakpoint, reconsider density and layout — don't just stretch.
Typography may need slight size adjustments between mobile and desktop
Test content at extremes — long names, empty states, maximum data
Platform Guidelines
iOS (Human Interface Guidelines)
Tab bar at bottom for primary navigation
Standard push/pop navigation with back button
SF Pro as system font
44pt minimum touch targets
Respect safe areas (notch, home indicator)
Standard table views for settings and lists
Material Design (Android)
Bottom navigation (current) or top tab bars
Floating Action Button for primary creation actions
Roboto as system font
More geometric, sharp components vs iOS's rounder feel
Material elevation system with shadows
Cross-platform
Many apps (Airbnb, Slack) use a hybrid approach — their own design language that feels comfortable on both platforms. This is increasingly common and acceptable.
Developer Handoff
Export at 2× minimum for retina; divide displayed size by 2
Spec spacing, sizes, and colors explicitly — don't assume developers will measure
