Why Skipping UI/UX Design Costs You More in Software Development (And How Tools Like Figma Can Save You Thousands)
When building products for your customers, especially digital platforms like software or web applications, one of the most expensive mistakes an organization can make is skipping or minimizing the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Too often, companies dive into development without properly envisioning the user experience (UX) or interface (UI), only to discover, after months or years of work, that their product doesn’t meet the actual needs or expectations of their users.
Our Hard-Learned Lesson at Nebula Academy
At Nebula Academy, we learned this lesson firsthand. Initially, we tried to move our platform forward without the right resources to prototype and fully envision the product. Without a clear design strategy, the development process became chaotic and inefficient, slowing our ability to bring a minimum viable product (MVP) to market. The turning point came when we invested in a UI/UX team and integrated Figma into our workflow.
This change created an immediate improvement. Our design team now stays ahead of development, creating user-validated prototypes that guide sprint execution. The development team remains focused, no longer needing to shift gears to accommodate late-breaking design changes. This approach created a streamlined product lifecycle, enabling us to evolve and enhance the platform without disrupting the engineering process.
The Real Cost of Skipping Design
Imagine investing a year of development time, only to find out that your users don’t understand your product, or worse, don’t want to use it. That’s a reality for many businesses who don’t integrate UI/UX into their SDLC. The Harvard Business Review estimates that for every $1 spent on UX research, companies save up to $100 in development and post-launch fixes.
When the user experience isn’t designed up front, feedback comes too late—usually after launch. Fixing structural flaws at this point can mean major rework, affecting everything from navigation flow to backend architecture. These retroactive changes often cost 3 to 5 times more than if they had been considered during the design phase.
Why Figma is a Game-Changer
Figma empowers cross-functional collaboration between product owners, designers, and developers. Using Figma allows teams to:
At Nebula Academy, we faced this challenge head-on. When building our new Learning Management System, we made a conscious decision to invest in a design team before writing a single line of code. This team worked in Figma, a collaborative design platform that allows real-time prototyping and feedback, to build interactive wireframes, run user testing, create user stories, and refine the product vision. This early investment helped us avoid the massive costs associated with rework, missed requirements, and user frustration.
Designing First Isn’t a Delay—It’s a Fast Track
The upfront investment in design can feel like a delay in delivery, but it’s actually the fastest path to building the right product. Think of it like architecture: you wouldn’t construct a building without blueprints. Yet in tech, teams frequently start writing code before they fully understand the “blueprint” of how users will experience the product.
By following a structured SDLC with design leading development, you create a scalable and adaptive product that evolves as your users’ needs evolve. This approach not only saves time and money, but it builds a product that your customers actually want.
Closing Thoughts
Success in product development isn’t about speed, it’s about sustainability and usability. If your developers are building in the dark without user input or visual direction, you’re not just risking time, you’re risking your entire investment.
Invest the time to design first. Test ideas with real users. Use tools like Figma to bring those ideas to life before a single sprint is run. Then build, iterate, and scale.
Because the best tech products don’t just function, they serve.
Ready to Build Smarter?
If your organization is developing a software product—or planning to—contact our team at Nebula Academy. We’ll support you from design to delivery, helping you avoid costly missteps and build a product your users will love.
Whether you need a UI/UX design team, hands-on staff training, or are looking to place a trained apprentice inside your company to build internal capacity, we’re here to help you succeed.
Email us at info@nebulaacademy.com or visit www.nebulaacademy.com to start the conversation.
Cloud DevOps Engineer | Software Engineer | AWS Community Builder
1moAs a proud Nebula Academy alum and someone deeply passionate about UI/UX, this post really hits home. User experience isn’t just a design phase—it’s a strategic investment that shapes how users connect with your product. I’ve seen how skipping this step leads to major setbacks that could have been avoided with thoughtful design. Thanks for highlighting why UI/UX should never be an afterthought!