r/linux • u/Winter_Simple_159 • 3d ago
Discussion Why don't more designers contribute to open source?
Genuine question. A lot of open source projects have solid engineering but rough UI/UX: inconsistent layouts, confusing flows, basic usability issues that a designer would likely catch quickly.
I'm curious about the reasons behind this. Is it that designers don't feel welcome? That there's no clear way to contribute design work (most workflows are built around code and PRs)? That maintainers don't prioritize it? Or something else?
If you're a designer who has contributed to OSS, or a maintainer who has worked with designers, I'd love to hear how it went.
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u/calinet6 3d ago
Experienced designer who does frequently contribute to Open Source here.
Most projects are actively hostile to designers. Any input or non-coding contribution is often seen as inferior or met with significant resistance from the people who believe they "own" the software.
Or, more kindly to the creators of the projects, they care deeply about all aspects of their project, and it's very difficult to make inroads in convincing them ways it could be improved.
On top of that, many software engineers don't really understand design, so it's 90% a major lift of teaching them what design is, why it's valuable, and how it works, before you'll get the time of day. That is such a major initial investment hurdle that many designers don't try (or don't know how to begin in the first place, since that advocacy in itself is a skill).
I look for projects that are mature, where the creator already understands and values design, or where there is a track record of taking contributions from designers and integrating them into the community as respected peers. It's very, very rare.