Underestimating the frontend is not free

After more than 10 years on the frontend side of software development, one drawback that stands out is the pressure many feel to prove their work is not trivial. This pressure often leads to unnecessary complexity in our solutions.

It might sound silly, but it’s one of the main reasons for overengineering in frontend development.

For as long as I can remember, there’s been a running joke in the industry: if you do frontend work, it’s "just" HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript. Also known as painting boxes.

While this might have been partially true in the past, the landscape has changed dramatically. Frontend architects are now essential to building massive, complex systems. Yet, the stereotype persists, creating some real downsides.

Overengineering to prove a point

One of the biggest consequences of feeling undervalued is the tendency to overengineer solutions. Many frontend developers feel the need to showcase their skills by making things unnecessarily complicated, driven by the need to prove their worth.

Unfortunately, simplicity often gets a bad reputation and lacks marketing appeal. But, solving complex problems with elegant, simple solutions requires more skill than making them unnecessarily complicated.

The desire to impress others can lead to complex solutions that are harder to maintain and don’t necessarily add real value. In short, overengineering wastes time and resources, and it ultimately makes life harder for everyone involved.

The impact of lack of recognition

The perception that frontend development is “easier” often leads to impostor syndrome among developers. Many feel that their work isn't as valuable as backend development, creating a constant need to prove their worth.

It’s important to recognize that frontend work comes with its own set of challenges and complexities, which are just as significant. Sadly, frontend developers don’t always receive the recognition they deserve. In terms of career laddering, frontend contributions are often undervalued, despite their impact on the overall user experience.

Frontend systems might be less visible to engineers, but they are the most visible part to users, and the quality of the frontend can make or break a product. Yet, this crucial part of development is frequently dismissed as “easy.”

Balancing aesthetics with functionality

Another challenge frontend developers face is striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Frontend developers are responsible for creating visually appealing, user-friendly designs while ensuring that applications are efficient and performant. This requires a blend of creativity and technical skill, and it’s a constant balancing act to meet both design and functionality requirements.

The rapidly evolving frontend landscape, with new frameworks, libraries, and tools emerging regularly, adds to this challenge. While this pace of change can be exciting, it can also feel overwhelming, especially when compared to the relatively slower evolution in some other areas of development.

Conclusion: the value of simplicity

I’m not here to pit frontend against backend, or to claim one is harder than the other. Both areas come with their unique challenges. That’s why it’s essential to assess performance on different criteria for different roles.

Frontend development has evolved significantly, and with it, the complexity and expectations have grown as well. We need to recognize the value of simplicity and how solving complex problems with efficient solutions requires real creativity and skill. Frontend developers should take pride in their contributions and stop feeling the need to overcompensate or show off.

Instead, let’s focus on the value we bring to the table, trust in our abilities, and continue to advance the field with confidence.