Hello, users! π
Today I wanted to share with you some advice on How to become a Frontend Developer.
I wrote this because I've been asked frequent...
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This is so cool, thanks DesirΓ©! I have it in my bookmarks, but I don't know if I already wrote a comment or not ^^ This is a really nice way to start and structure the learnings! I am a few months old developer, and this is still super useful to have a framework like that available :D
So glad, Agathe!
I hope you keep improving and you find your path into the tech world, welcome!
Awesome write up.
Quick note:
In the section entitled: Some tools that may save you time. The tools are not linked, they are empty
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hreinstead ofhrefπ€¦ββοΈ, it works now!Great article π
There is a popular repo with a lot of contributors who just help you to be less confused about the things to learn if youβll like to become a front, back or full-stack dev.
I think it can help some people
π github.com/kamranahmedse/developer...
I would suggest looking into whats in demand in your area and learn that instead. e.g. vuejs has almost no jobs in my country. Most use angular but with higher demand (and growing) for React (& React Native). Vuejs is still great, but it won't be the best use of your time becoming a master in something that you won't be able to use anytime soon whilst demand for it slowly grows.
Imo you can also skip CSS frameworks that have you learn a bunch of class names. Its easier(and more lucrative) to just learn how to use flexbox and grid properly and possibly use a component library like Ant Design instead. Maybe use something like BEM to keep your classe names standardized.
Thank you for your answer!
Vuejs is the easiest JavaScript framework, awesome to learn what a js framework is and looks like. React and Angular have incredible huge and difficult learning curve while Vue doesn't. I'm still suggesting to learn Vue, and then learn any of the other mentionted.
Also CSS frameworks are necessary since most companies without any designer (which is common) use them. You need to be familiar and know a CSS framework, it's just a must, no matter how you look at it.
I agree with Samuele.
I will suggest using the most in-demand framework. I also don't think React and Angular have a difficult learning curve. I studied both from scratch as a newbie in the field and the basics can be learned in a week just reading through the docs or using some tutorials. They need time to master as everything in the checklist.
In my experience, CSS framework is not something you must use, but its something dependable of projects, teams and companies. Usually, they are also easy to learn through documentation and practise, therefore in my opinion new professionals should focus more on the basics of CSS.
I feel like you forgot to mention that if you want to be good frontend developer you should have some basic knowledge of tech stack that your closest coworkers use. You've mentioned databases and APIs but being familiar with design/ux basics is just as important. Employers don't need a code monkey but someone who is able to actively discuss and question decissions and that should apply to your coworkers as well. It's much harder to work with designer that doesn't think about resposivenes/accessibility or doesn't know the difference between dropdown and select.
I understand your point but Frontend is not designing. So you don't need to start learning the principles of UX-UI and design systems, and graphic design and typography essentials unless you're the designer and also the frontend of your company. Which... Actually shouldn't ever happen.
It's not about being able to do work of designers/devops/backenders but about being able to understand what they are doing and discuss decissions on their side that affect you as well. You start this blog post saying that you are just a designer that codes. You are still a designer but much more valuable one because you have knowledge about frontend ecosystem and frameworks. And that's a big advantage against other designers that may have no idea how html or js works.
MaroΕ‘ I really understand your point, it is good to have some knowledge but I often see the "design knowledge" that is being asked to frontenders is just too much and I don't think they'd use it in a company, but in their personal projects. Also, my developers discuss design things with me without knowing a lot of design π, the only thing you need it's being interested in your coworker's work, that's it!
Great checklist! Looking at it helps me see the long way I've come in just a year since I started coding, I can check more than a half of the items on the list and I'll probably be able to check them all this year :)
That sounds great! Don't ever doubt about how much effort you invested in your future, we all forget our long way sometimes but it's right there. Congrats!! π€
Awesome article DesirΓ©! I've been looking to establish myself as a Front End Dev and it's very helpful to have a clear sense of direction from the viewpoint of someone who is in the industry. Thanks for this article and checklist!
Really hoping it will help you! Please contact me if you have any doubt, my DM's are always open! π
I've read a lot of articles about the journey of a frontend developer. I really like yours as it's quite short and goes to the essential. And I appreciate your final tips and tools - I'm going to have a look on Miro!
Thank you for sharing π
So glad to read that! π
Amazing checklist
I've been messing around with web technologies for my hobby projects, articles like this are making me feel like I should switch directions and be a frontend dev.
Why switching directions? I'm designing, drawing, coding, and writing at the same time. One thing is your "professional title" and the other thing is what you enjoy to do!
I'm a Product Owner and an iOS Developer, but I really feel like it's difficult to wear more than one hat.
I'm doing a lot of hobby projects, such as frontend and python.
I've always enjoyed frontend, but I was always somehow scared of it, like it's too much, there's always some new Sass, SCSS, React.js, Gatsby.
It feel almost impossible to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in frontend.
Have you always been a frontend dev?
I guess deep inside I always was, yes... However new techs shouldn't scare you, every frontender sticks to its favorite tech in the end, or to the tech in their company. I, for example, only work with Vue+SASS and nothing else, unless I'm needed to.
Learning SASS or stay always in the vanilla CSS it's up to you, we often forget that each tech has its specific purpose, you don't have to use everything to perform your job correctly!
That's why in the article I wanted to focus on the essentials, 1 CSS fw, 1 JS fw, API's, JSON's... With the base knowledge, you can go everywhere. π
This is actually the essence of our work. When you got the basic technologies (html,css,js) it doesn't matter which tool, framework or helper you add to your stack. Everything ends up being html, css and js. These make the web visible, interactive and accessible. Everything else depends.
Ahaha...I could check everything on the list. (Don't know everything in each category but I know some, for example I don't know Vue, React, AND Angular...only React.
ANd I don't know grid much, but I do know flexbox.
I'm more on the full stack end of things xd
Okay but I guess I'm down good with front-end....now to get a job!
Good introdution. :)
If you wonder what resources you should learn from, check out my article: How to Become a Front-end Developer in 2019
Thank you
β people will know about you and your work faster than sending 55 CV's a day, β β you'll meet people from inside the industry who are able to give you help and feedback - I don't get this point. Can you please explain How do you find recruiters or clients by a portfolio? Do I need to share or send somewhere?
Hello Answer; when you create online presence people will organically check your portfolio, media, work and projects.
You need to build your presence in a way you're comfortable. Writing articles, sharing content, sharing your achievements, letting others know about you and what you've been working on, etc.
It's a long way but it ends up really well.
Nice article
You referred to your readers as users π
Thanks! I always do! π
That is apt..
nice article
Great, some of your advices like take notes and reuse are very important, which really get me to rethink what I have learned some time.
Thank you <3
Thanks
Great list! Cheers
Glad you like it! π
at last got the direction to be a frontend dev, Thnx/Love a lot
I'm just starting out on my web dev journey. Thank you for this article, I'm going to keep it nearby so I can refer to it often.
So glad, Adam!
Please if you need something don't hesitate to contact me! Let's go!
Great article and thanks for the checklist!
Hoping it was useful! π
Welcome to the frontend clan!
I also came across this yesterday roadmap.sh/frontend
I feel there are many things there that aren't essentials to work as a Frontend Dev, however, is a good resource and I'm pretty sure it helps a lot of people