Handoff is more than sending a design-file link to a developer. It is a shared stage where teams communicate behavior rules, interface states and the reasons behind design decisions. A good handoff lets design and engineering build the same product together in different tools.
Document states and edge cases
Delivering only the ideal screen is not enough. Define empty, loading and error states, long-content behavior, unauthorized access and small-screen behavior as part of the design so engineers do not have to guess missing states.
- Collect all interaction states of components in one place.
- Express spacing, color and typography values with tokens where possible.
- Explain complex motion with short prototypes or notes.
Good handoff is not a delivery moment; it is an ongoing form of communication between teams.
