First off, let's get something straight. Front-end development isn't just about importing a bunch of random third party React components and calling it a day after stitching them together having not really written any code yourself.
Being a proper front-end developer means mastering the art and science of CSS, HTML, and all those foundational skills that make the web not only look great but work seamlessly. Progressive enhancement and graceful degradation? These aren't just buzzwords – they're essential practices that ensure everyone can access and use our websites, no matter their device, browser, or access needs.
My journey into front-end
I accidentally got into front-end development while I was at college and became a bit of a hobbyist. I didn't really understand what I was doing or why things were so weird to put together. I fiddled around with stuff for a while, and created some very basic, very silly websites, spending many hours refining them and creating content.
During my university placement year I worked at a digital agency in Sheffield where I was doing Dev Ops/Sysadmin work - I was at university doing Computing (Networks) so it's purely a fluke I ended up there and befriended some very talented front end developers who taught me how to properly build websites.
I knew almost immediately that this was my density (Thanks, George McFly!). I enjoyed writing websites the right way. The separation of content from style. The ability to just change out a stylesheet for a whole new style. Making websites work without styles just in case they never got them. Switching styles on and off just to marvel at the wonders behelden to me. Since then, I've worked in agencies, the public sector, the private sector, and consulting, as well as for charities and friends alike.
Everywhere I've worked I've learned more, become more experienced and wiser. Not only that, I still strive to be better. Each new website I build, I want to be better than the last one I worked on. And the same for the next one. The web moves at such a pace that you have to keep up by pushing yourself hard all the time.
The importance of performance
Performance is a huge part of what I do. I don't just care if it looks good; I care if it loads fast and runs smoothly. Front-end performance optimization is a craft, one that takes skill and attention to detail to get right.
For instance, I started working on a project as a consultant front-end developer and quickly realized they had serious issues with their front-end CSS and JS bundling build times through Gulp – they were taking at least 35 minutes per build and often longer. I spent a week taking things apart and putting them back together and got the build down to under 35 seconds.
Since then, I've added more types of builds, better organization, cleaned up CSS files, included partials, added autoprefixer, and a lot of other things behind the scenes. Now, it builds for 10 additional sites it didn't use to and is still building in under 1 minute.
Commitment to accessibility
Accessibility is crucial. I'm dedicated to making sure our websites are usable for everyone, including those with disabilities. This means writing semantic HTML, implementing (just the right amount of) ARIA roles, and ensuring that my designs are fully navigable with a keyboard and screen readers. It's not an optional extra – it's a must. I've seen firsthand how inclusive design can transform user experiences and broaden your audience.
Quality code
Quality code matters to me. I don't just throw things together and hope for the best. I follow best practices, write clean, maintainable code, and take pride in the craftsmanship of my work. It's all about building things that last and are easy to maintain.
Specialisation and expertise
And let's clear up another thing – I'm not a designer, I'm not a backend developer, and I'm not an all-in-one jack-of-all-trades. I'm a front-end developer, specializing in key areas that are essential for creating top-notch web experiences. My expertise is focused and deep, covering everything from the visual aspects to the underlying code that makes it all work.
The impact of great front-end development
Good front-end development can only have a positive impact on users, the business, and developers too. Better, more performant, well-documented code, reduced bloat, better layout, etc., all improve things. Doing things right takes a little longer to start with sometimes, but over the long term, your maintenance and cognitive costs should be far lower.
So, next time you think of a front-end developer, don't just think React. Think of someone who brings a wealth of specialized knowledge and a passion for crafting exceptional web experiences. With my focused expertise, I can help you not only meet your goals but exceed them, making your web projects faster, more accessible, and simply better. As we say in Yorkshire, it'll be grand!
Nobody is perfect, and neither am I. Neither is this site! It's a continually improving project that I'm always thinking of ways to enhance in terms of performance, accessibility, and interface. You should be doing the same! Performance and accessibility are so important, and they make a huge difference to your customers and users! I can help you – get in touch.
Let's build something amazing together
If you're looking to elevate your web presence and need someone who truly understands the intricacies of front-end development, feel free to reach out. Let's create something exceptional together!