The setup
Pair programming is usually associated with developers. It works just as well between developers and interaction designers, especially when designers prototype in code. Two people at one workstation, building together.
What pairing enables
Faster problem-solving: Designers and developers catch each other’s blind spots. Errors surface earlier. Feedback is immediate. Debugging becomes collaborative.
Higher quality output: Two minds on the same problem produce better decisions. Real-time review means fewer handoff surprises and fewer “oh, that won’t work” moments after the fact.
Knowledge sharing: Experienced prototypers can show others how to structure forms, handle branching, or write clearer commit messages. The skills spread without formal training.
Better collaboration: Constant communication breaks down silos. When someone is absent, others understand their work. Shared responsibility replaces single points of failure.
The outcome
Designers began seeking each other out to pair. Not because it was mandated, because it solved the problems that mattered to them. The nitty-gritty parts of the job became collaborative instead of isolated.
The principle
Collaboration works when people gain something in return. Pair programming gives both parties something: faster progress, better code, and skills that compound.