Bridging UI Strategy and Dev Support in 1:1 Sessions

Responsabilities • Deliverables • Tools & Tech

UX/UI Design 1:1 Mentoring UI Audit Usability Assesment Strategy Front-End Debugging Code Sanitation Scrum Task Scoping Audit Report Dev Notes Figma Components Graphics Coded Snippets Design System Guidelines Design Best Practices Support HTML5 CSS3 Bootstrap 4 Figma Photoshop Google Docs MS Teams Dreamweaver Notepad++ DevTools

Elevating interface quality through design systems, mentorship, and implementation alignment.

This case study highlights my dual role as a UX/UI Designer and mentor during a pivotal platform update. I led the refinement of the product's UI, closing gaps in consistency and usability, while empowering developers through one-on-one sessions grounded in Bootstrap best practices and atomic design principles.

By blending hands-on collaboration with systems thinking, I ensured scalable UI outcomes, reinforced brand integrity, and built developer confidence—turning technical improvements into long-term design maturity.

1. Project Context and My Role

Shortly after the platform’s acquisition by Covetrus, the product required a major interface update to support new business goals and future scalability.

As the sole UX/UI Designer on the VCP Platforms Development Team, I was responsible for leading the UI audit, proposing improvements, and collaborating directly with developers to ensure a smooth implementation process. My impact extended beyond visuals—I also provided technical mentoring to reinforce best practices in UI development.

2. Team and Collaboration

I collaborated with a core team of 6 developers, 3 QA analysts, and the VP of Product (who was also the original founder). My role extended to cross-functional touchpoints, including brainstorming with other product teams and supporting implementation efforts across divisions.

This allowed me to facilitate not only interface upgrades, but also real-time skill development among developers in direct working sessions.

3. Methodology and Process
✦ UI Assessment
  • Identified design inconsistencies and usability gaps.
  • Prioritized issues based on impact and implementation complexity.
  • Used heuristic evaluation and feedback from QA for input.
✦ Solution Design
  • Created responsive layouts and scalable UI components.
  • Delivered visual and coded assets using Figma and Bootstrap.
  • Proposed improvements aligned with branding and accessibility guidelines.
✦ Atomic Design Principles
  • Implemented UI refinements using a modular, reusable approach.
  • Educated the team on how to apply design tokens and component-based thinking.
✦ Developer Mentoring (1:1 Sessions)
  • Paired with developers during implementation to guide usage of UI elements.
  • Offered contextual code review and practical Bootstrap tips.
  • Empowered the team to make future improvements independently.
4. Outcomes and Impact

By combining strategy with mentorship, I supported a lasting shift in how the team approached UI—moving from patch-based fixes to a more sustainable, system-driven mindset.

As a result, developers not only gained confidence in implementing and maintaining UI standards independently, but also began to adopt a broader perspective during development. They started considering the long-term implications of their code decisions, aiming to minimize rework and build more intentionally. Embracing best practices became part of the workflow, fostering greater consistency across interfaces.

Having someone in my role served as a vital bridge between design and development—offering clarity, reinforcing shared language, and enabling continuous knowledge transfer that empowered the team beyond the scope of individual tasks.

5. Key Learnings
  • Bridging design and development requires more than handoff—it demands trust, communication, and embedded support.
  • Teaching atomic design empowers teams to think in scalable patterns, reducing rework.
  • Investing time in mentoring creates long-term returns through team autonomy and shared language.