Although AI adoption in web development raised a lot of questions in terms of accuracy, security and dependency, our team was excited about its potential.

Since integrating AI tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT into our workflow, we have seen some improvements in coding efficiency and team collaboration. For example, a moderately complex custom block that previously took about five hours to complete can now be done in around three to four hours. This represents a 20% to 40% reduction in development time for these types of tasks.

Here is some direct feedback from the team on how AI has enhanced their work:

“Copilot is very helpful when converting traditional CSS or SASS code into Tailwind CSS classes, or transforming jQuery into vanilla JavaScript.”

“I used ChatGPT to help rewrite a complex algorithm for a navigation menu layout, specifically its element hierarchy. Without ChatGPT, it would have taken much longer, as I’d have to analyse each line, check with console logs, and open the browser to search for solutions when having syntax issues.”

“I use AI for debugging and code conversion. Recently, I used it to get an overview of plugins available for specific client requests on a WordPress site. I got a more concise, useful list which you don’t tend to get with google.”

Sometimes, using Copilot feels like having an extra developer on your side helping with repetitive tasks. We only need to review and sometimes modify the AI-generated code to suit our needs. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it requires to be on top of the solution to not end up with technical debt.

Just as we don’t expose environment secrets, when it comes to security we ensure sensitive data is not exposed when using these tools. We anonymise sensitive information and ensure AI is disabled in confidential projects.

Overall, our current approach is to use AI to increase productivity writing code and documentation, always ensuring there’s a developer in the loop checking if the output produced by the AI matches our standards.

The post The AI Tooling Driving Our Web Dev Workflow appeared first on Make Agency London.

This year’s party was one for the books! We started with a friendly (and competitive!) round of Junkyard Golf, followed by office celebrations, and capped it all off with an amazing 3-course dinner at Morito. It was a perfect day to celebrate with the team that’s made the last decade of creativity and innovation possible.

A huge thank you to our incredible team, past and present, for their hard work, passion, and dedication. Without you, none of this would be possible. Here’s to many more years of success, groundbreaking projects, and unforgettable moments!

The post Celebrating 10 Years of Success! appeared first on Make Agency London.

With several major client campaigns and projects set to launch soon, there’s a real buzz in the air—and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes content and updates from our team as we continue to push the limits of what a digital agency can do.

The post July 2024 Video Diary appeared first on Make Agency London.

Join the Celebration!

We’re EXCITED to launch this monthly series as part of our 10-year anniversary celebrations. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or you’re discovering Make Agency for the first time, we want to bring you along for the ride. Our goal is to give you an authentic view of our work, our culture, and the passion behind everything we do.

What’s Next?

Each month, we’ll take you deeper into our world, showcasing different projects, key moments, and agency life. But we want to hear from YOU too—what behind-the-scenes content would you love to see? Whether it’s more about our team, specific projects, or industry insights, your feedback will shape the episodes ahead.

Subscribe and Stay Tuned!

To make sure you don’t miss a thing, hit the subscribe button and join us on this journey. We’re just getting started, and we’re excited to share our world with you.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and thank you for being part of the Make Agency story!

The post June 2024 Video Diary appeared first on Make Agency London.

What’s Remaining?

Headless CMS and Next.js

Back in 2019, we were exploring headless CMS options. Today, in 2024, we have fully integrated headless CMS solutions with Next.js in our range of solutions, and we maintain two key client’s websites under Microsoft Azure and AWS.

Gutenberg and Dynamic Blocks

For our WordPress websites, we continue to leverage Gutenberg for creating dynamic blocks. Since 2019, a year after the release of Gutenberg Blocks, we have developed dozens of websites creating custom blocks tailored to our designers’ creativity.

What’s New?

AI

We have recently enabled the development team to use tools like Copilot in Visual Studio. While not everyone is actively using it, those who do find that it speeds up the process of debugging and refining our code. We don’t take any suggestion for granted, but it’s true that Copilot occasionally suggests functions that are not part of our day-to-day routine, pushing us to investigate and learn more.

Tailwind CSS

Frontend-wise is probably the easiest transition we’ve made since adopting Bootstrap and SCSS. Tailwind CSS provides a better approach when styling our web components and it might not be perfect, but it simplifies our dependencies and makes our work easier to maintain and recycle.
The recent availability of CSS variables and CSS nesting across major browsers combines perfectly with Tailwind and our coding style.

WordPress Coding Standards and Git Conventions

Talking about code style, we have implemented a new Git convention to improve version control practices and collaboration. This allows us to create a more semantic meaning to our git history and, in the midterm, will enable us to generate automatic changelogs.

In WordPress projects we are running better scripts that allow us to make sure every team member is following the WordPress Coding Standards. We still maintain the freedom for any dev to develop solutions the best we do for our clients, but now we do with style

Conclusion

Thanks to these decisions, we are committed to improving our workflow by making our code more consistent and foolproof. This enables us to deliver better work in less time, providing our clients with technology that can easily scale over the years to come.

To talk to one of our tech experts, please get in touch! We’d love to chat.

The post Our Dev Workflow appeared first on Make Agency London.

By embedding AI at the core of our UX strategy, we harness the power of data to create experiences that are not only intuitive and engaging but also deeply resonant with our users’ needs and aspirations. Here’s a glimpse into how we’re using AI to redefine the boundaries of UX design:

1. Unveiling User Insights Through Big Data

In a digital ecosystem brimming with user interactions, AI’s ability to analyse complex datasets becomes invaluable. Traditional analytics provide surface-level insights, but AI dives deeper, identifying nuanced behaviours and latent needs. This method transcends guesswork, enabling us to create experiences that truly resonate. According to industry experts, utilising big data through AI can enhance user engagement by up to 70%, as it allows for a more nuanced understanding of user habits and preferences.

2. Streamlining Design with AI-Enhanced Prototyping

AI significantly reduces the time and resources required for prototyping and testing. By employing machine learning algorithms, we can predict user responses to different designs, streamlining the development process. This not only expedites innovation but also ensures that our solutions are optimised for actual user needs. Research in AI-driven design suggests that this approach can cut development times by as much as 50%, proving its efficacy in enhancing productivity and design quality.

3. Crafting Compelling Copy with AI

Language is a powerful tool in UX, influencing how users perceive and interact with digital platforms. AI’s natural language processing capabilities allow us to tailor content dynamically, ensuring relevance and engagement. This goes beyond mere keyword optimisation, creating a narrative that adapts to the user’s context, needs, and emotions. Experts in NLP highlight its potential to increase conversion rates by personalising user interactions, making content not only more engaging but also more effective in driving action.

4. Making Accessibility a Priority with AI

AI’s role in promoting accessibility is transformative, offering automated solutions to identify and fix accessibility issues across digital properties. This proactive approach ensures that our designs are usable by people with a wide range of abilities, fostering inclusivity. According to accessibility advocates, leveraging AI in this way not only expands the reach of digital products but also enhances their usability, making them more intuitive and user-friendly for all.

5. Customising Experiences with Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics, powered by AI, enables a level of personalisation previously unattainable. By understanding individual user behaviours and preferences, we can craft personalised user journeys, significantly enhancing user engagement and satisfaction. Industry studies show that personalised experiences can increase user satisfaction by up to 80%, illustrating the impact of predictive analytics on creating compelling, customised user experiences.

6. Reducing Bias, Enhancing Diversity

AI provides an unprecedented opportunity to identify and mitigate unconscious biases in design, promoting diversity and inclusion. By analysing design decisions through a data-driven lens, AI helps ensure that our products are accessible and appealing to a diverse user base. This commitment to equity is not just a moral imperative but also a business one, as diverse design perspectives can lead to more innovative and universally appealing digital solutions.

Conclusion

At MAKE, leveraging AI in our UX design process is not just about adopting new technologies; it’s about fundamentally enhancing the way we connect with and serve our users.

Through a data-first approach, powered by AI, we’re not only anticipating the needs of today’s digital consumers but also shaping the future of user experience design. Join us on this transformative journey, where data meets design, and innovation meets intuition. Explore how our AI services can elevate your digital experience here.

The post Harnessing AI for Human-Centric UX appeared first on Make Agency London.