System analysis of Design-to-code automation tools
Table of contents
No headings in the article.
Introduction
A design-to-code automation tool is a software application that allows designers to create visual designs, such as wireframes, mockups, and prototypes, and then automatically generates the corresponding source code, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Design-to-code tools are quite significant in the process of software development because
Design handoff to developers is more efficient
Development process is faster since it eliminate the need of coding from scratch
It helps business quickly prototype an idea
Consistency in design with the help of reusable components
It takes away the burden of managing a design system
Cost efficient for businesses
Purpose of this document
This document has been created to carefully outline the working principles of design-to-code automation tools, their strengths and weaknesses.
Use cases
Design-to-code automation tools are most useful in certain use cases and shouldn’t be the go to choice for all scenarios. These tools are most useful in the following scenarios.
Rapid iteration and development
Efficient design handoff to developers
Consistent design systems
Exporting designs to multiple platforms
Automated code generation
Collaboration between team members
Analysis of existing systems
The following systems were analyzed to understand the operational principle of design to code systems and to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The following sections will showcase the strengths and weaknesses of the different systems collectively. A more comprehensive outline can be found in the appendix A.
Systems analyzed
TeleportHQ
Anima
Handoff
Clutch
Hadron
Working principle
The websites designed by these systems can be static or dynamic. Implementations that support dynamic websites offer the users the option to connect to an external database. In either case, the approach taken by these system to develop interfaces can be categorized into three parts
Design of the interface is performed within the system
The system supports importing designs from 3rd party tools like Figma.
A combination of the previous two approaches
Systems which are capable of importing designs from 3rd party tools require a plugin to be developed through which users can link their design created on 3rd party systems to the system. After the design is linked users can make changes to the file within the system. In some cases, changes are synchronized between the system and the 3rd party system.
Current design to code systems have a rich user interface where designers can manipulate their designs, create and manage components, pages and design systems. These interfaces also support rich mouse and keyboard shortcuts for ease of use. They also offer gestures like drag and drop, panning and zooming. Some implementations offer a feature where developers can write custom code. This is sometimes made possible via codepen or a custom implementation.
After the design has been concluded, you can either host the website through their system or export your designs to code to be hosted yourself. In most cases, the former is the case. However, for systems that support hosting, they provide the option to either use a custom domain or a default subdomain. Some implementations go as far as providing different staging environments.
Strengths of existing systems
Responsive design
Design system management
Reusable components
Real time collaboration
Drag and drop
Connect to a database
Integration of third party APIs like unsplash, iconify for assets management
Custom code
Export to multiple languages and frameworks
Layout manager
Deploy to a subdomain or custom domain
Keyboard and mouse shortcuts
Hosting
Weaknesses of existing systems
Custom animations on events
Code quality
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have seen that design-to-code automation tools play a crucial role in the software development process, increasing the efficiency of the handoff process and also providing developers with a good starting point while carefully understanding that these tools are not to be used in all scenarios but in specific use cases.
Design-to-code automation tools can be used in development of static and dynamic pages although the dynamic pages can’t be too complex. Emphasis is placed on the fact design can be imported from third-party design softwares like Figma, sketch and Adobe XD to be edited and exported or hosted as the case may be.
The strength and weakness of these systems are outlined and these weaknesses can be improved upon to make these systems more reliable.
Appendices
Appendix A: Softwares analyzed
Pros:
Works with tools familiar to developers - Figma
Design and generate code on the platform
Website hosting
AI website generation
Real time collaboration
Supports code generation in React, Vue, Javascript, HTML, CSS with support for css frameworks such as TailwindCSS
Cons:
Pros:
Works with tools familiar to developers - Figma, Sketch
Code generated can be edited in codegen
Website hosting
Supports code generation in React, Vue, Javascript, HTML, CSS with support for css frameworks such as TailwindCSS
Cons:
- You cannot manipulate the designs within the application
Pros:
Copy and paste directly from Figma
Designs can be edited within the application
Supports code generation in React, Vue, Javascript, HTML, CSS with upcoming support for css frameworks such as TailwindCSS
Cons:
- Not in active development
Pros:
Designs are managed within the application
Connects to multiple backends
Multiple themes and templates
Use templates from NPM or create one yourself
Web hosting
Cons:
- Does not export to code
Pros:
Designs can be edited within the application
Designs can be edited with code
Layout editor included
Cons:
- Still in Beta testing
Appendix B: Not in active development
Avocode
Modulz
Appendix C: Other related software
Supernova: Design systems manager
Uizard: Design and ideation tool
Modulz: User interface design tool
Inspect by Invision: Create designs within the software and generate documentation for developers
Zeplin: a version control manager for designs