If you work in product design , you've probably heard of Zeplin as a tool to improve the development of a digital product.
This design handoff tool is very efficient in facilitating communication, improving collaboration and centralizing this very important process between design and development teams.
Therefore, in this article, we will discuss what Zeplin is and what it is used for, as well as give tips on how to use its main features, how to configure it and integrate it with other tools, among other important points. Stay tuned!
What is Zeplin and what is it for?
Zeplin is a design handoff tool that focuses on optimizing collaboration between designers and software developers . It allows professionals to improve handoff by centralizing multiple process why choose us? ses in product development, thereby improving the quality of the final result.
Major design tools such as Figma , Sketch, and Adobe XD, despite offering collaboration features that support the handoff process, focus on design features, after all, that is their purpose.
That's why Zeplin is a very interesting option, as it offers resources for both designers and developers, centralizing the design transfer process and making it much more efficient.
Zeplin is seen as a bridge between design and development teams , offering features to facilitate collaboration and effective product implementation.
For designers , it offers features that allow you to create handoff documentation, version control, organization, and standardization of design assets and components. In addition, it is possible to integrate with other design tools, which further enhances the handoff process.
For developers , in turn, the tool offers features such as automatic code generation, viewing technical specifications of design components, integration with other development tools and exporting optimized assets.
Additionally, Zeplin significantly improves processes when it comes to collaboration between teams, enabling asynchronous communication and access to designs in a very efficient way.
Finally, optimizing the handoff process with Zeplin ends up directly influencing the quality of the final product, since collaboration between design and development is more effective.
Below, check out details about some of Zeplin's main features.
Documentation and design sharing
Designers can import their designs from other tools into Zeplin and create the necessary handoff documentation for developers, specifying technical components such as colors , sizes, typography , measurements, etc.
From there, you can share your project, user flows, or design components with all stakeholders who can collaborate on the project.
Technical specification visualization and code generation
Zeplin allows code generation of each design element , making the process of visualizing technical design specifications and final implementation much easier.
Version control
The tool also offers version management features, allowing professionals working on the project to access the most up-to-date versions , as well as view changes made throughout the project.
Collaboration, communication and feedback
Zeplin's collaboration, communication, and feedback features are what make this tool so functional for designers and developers.
With it, you can collect feedback , add comments, assign tasks to project members, request design approvals, and keep track of everything that's happening on the project through efficient, asynchronous communication .
Setting up Zeplin in design projects
To set up Zeplin for product design projects, designers need to follow a few steps. Check it out:
Create an account : The first step is to create an account on the platform and decide which type of subscription is best suited to your project. Zeplin offers free and paid plans, starting at $8/month per user;
Connect Zeplin to your design tool : Once you have set up your account, you can connect it to your design tools, such as Figma or Adobe XD. Install the Zeplin plugin in your preferred tool and connect it to your account;
Import your design projects : Once you've chosen the design tool you want to integrate with, it's time to import the projects you're working on into the Zeplin platform;
Organize and document the design : with the design in the platform, you must organize the design components and technical elements, providing detailed descriptions of how the developer should implement the design. Don't leave anything out and focus on providing as much detail as possible to the development team, to make collaboration even more fluid and avoid rework;
Share with stakeholders : Once you have systematized the product design in the tool, you can share the project with the stakeholders involved in the product development, usually the development team, product managers and stakeholders . They will have access to the design and technical documentation, and the implementation process can begin.
Integration with other tools
A great advantage of Zeplin is the ability to integrate it with various design, collaboration, and development tools. This helps to further optimize workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and organize the project according to the needs of each professional.
Zeplin's main integrations for designers, developers, and team collaboration are:
Figma;
Sketch;
Adobe XD;
Photoshop;
Jira;
Storybook;
Azure DevOps;
VS Code;
Webhook;
Trello;
Slack;
CSS;
Swift, among others.
Best Practices in Zeplin
Now that you know the main features of Zeplin and how to configure it for your design transfer projects, check out some best practices for using the tool efficiently.
Keep your projects up to date
Clarity of information is essential when transferring design to the development team. Therefore, it is essential to keep designs and components up to date and well organized throughout the project.
In this sense, some good practices are:
assess whether there is any ambiguous information and optimize it;
remove irrelevant data from the project;
eliminate obsolete design versions, among others.
All of this makes it easier for each team member to navigate and understand the demands.
Encourage clear and effective communication
Zeplin offers many features for team collaboration. Taking advantage of these features is essential to maintaining clear and effective communication.
When working on a product development project, professionals involved should always value a culture of feedback and open communication. Zeplin provides the ideal environment for this to happen in a fluid and effective way.
Both designers and developers can add notes, comments and information and provide feedback on the project through Zeplin, fostering an active and transparent collaboration dynamic .
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