Transitioning to a full-time front-end engineering role can be an exciting and transformative experience. The possibilities for growth and exploration are endless. At the start of 2023, I was assigned to the Design Systems team at Superside, a renowned design and development company. In this blog post, I will share my insights into why choosing one side of the branch can be great, the inner workings of being in a foundational team, and the contrasting working style compared to product-focused teams, and the challenges and inspirations encountered along the way.
T-Shaped Engineer
Between 2018 and 2021, I have not only focused on working with React, but a lot with the backend too. NodeJS was my go-to backend framework since it’s Javascript.
I’ve worked as a full-stack engineer since my first company, and I’ve always preferred working on the frontend part more because I like to visually see the changes I make. I knew that one day I had to choose a specialisation, and I decided that it would be frontend. That said, I see this as becoming a T-shaped engineer.
A T-shaped engineer refers to someone with a broad range of knowledge across various disciplines, symbolized by the horizontal bar of the "T." Additionally, they possess deep expertise in a specific area, represented by the vertical stroke of the "T". Think of it as, putting 80% focus on frontend development, and 20% on the others. Knowing every skills the market throw at you, but only specialising on one.
Design System
As a Frontend Engineer in the Design System team, it has opened up a world of opportunities for me to claim. The stuff I do includes, managing documentation, maintaining existing components, creating new components, and contributing to the development of product features by working closely with designers and engineers. This holistic approach enables me to have a comprehensive understanding of the entire project life cycle. Of course, not everything’s all flowers and sunshine…
Contrasting work-style
Compared to working in feature teams, the working style in maintaining a company’s UI library is distinct. Instead of focusing solely on product features, the sprints are geared towards providing solutions that enhance the development process. In this role, stakeholders are developers and designers within the company. The position entails working across different teams at Superside, acting as a liaison to understand and address their unique challenges, thus creating a web of connections between each team.
Ooooooh moments
Being a part of this team has allowed me to explore new avenues in React development. While my previous experience primarily involved the interaction between React and Node.js, I now have the opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of React and push the boundaries of what can be achieved. Inspirations such as Apple’s HIG, Vercel’s Vercel Design, and Adobe’s Spectrum to name a few, have provided valuable insights and opened up fresh possibilities in my coding approach, or in other words, coding design.
Everything’s like a walk in the park…filled with lava
Transitioning to a full-time front-end engineer and working closely with multiple teams has its fair share of challenges. One of the main hurdles I encountered was developing a deep understanding of React. This involved constant learning and staying updated with the latest advancements in the framework. Additionally, the task of interacting with various teams simultaneously presented its own set of challenges. However, by fostering effective communication and collaboration, these obstacles can be overcome.
Frontend Master Race!
Shifting to a full-time front-end engineer role and working on high-level requirements have been a transformative journey. Embracing the concept of a T-shaped engineer has empowered me to contribute effectively across multiple disciplines while continuously expanding my knowledge in React development. Working in the Design System team has provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with various teams, understand their needs, and build connections within the organization. The challenges encountered along the way have been overshadowed by the immense personal and professional growth that this role has offered. I look forward to further exploring new technologies, nurturing collaborations, and making a lasting impact on the projects I undertake.
