Do product designers require knowledge of the programming languages and frameworks used in product development?

As a product designer in my current company, I have experienced that we are using an outdated JavaScript framework called Astral, and we need to add new features to it. However, finding documentation on the framework is difficult, and I need to communicate with the developers to understand what is possible and what is not. It is essential to identify the framework's dependencies to avoid confusion among developers.

It is not necessary to become an expert in programming languages and frameworks. However, having a basic understanding of these technologies can help you work more effectively with developers and create better designs.

Here are some reasons why Product Designers need to know about programming languages and frameworks:

1. Better communication: Understanding the programming languages and frameworks that developers use can help you communicate more effectively with them. You will be able to understand their constraints, discuss design ideas in terms of technical feasibility, and provide better feedback on implementation issues.

2. Improved design: Knowing programming languages and frameworks can help you design better user experiences. For example, if you know that a certain framework supports certain animations or interactions, you can design the interface accordingly. This can help reduce the amount of time it takes to implement the design and make the user experience more engaging.

3. Collaboration: Collaboration is essential in software development. When Product Designers understand the programming languages and frameworks that developers use, they can work more closely with them to ensure that the design is implemented correctly. This can help prevent misunderstandings, reduce rework, and improve the overall quality of the end product.

4. Design flexibility: Understanding programming languages and frameworks can help product designers create more flexible designs. When you know what is possible with a certain technology, you can design interfaces that can adapt to different screen sizes or device types. This can help create a more consistent user experience across different platforms.

In conclusion, product designers need to have a basic understanding of programming languages and frameworks to be effective in their roles. While it is not necessary to become an expert, having a basic understanding of these technologies can help product designers communicate more effectively with developers, design better user experiences, collaborate more closely, and create more flexible designs.