Git is the industry-standard version control system that tracks changes to your files over time. While it's essential for developers, designers increasingly need Git skills to collaborate effectively with engineering teams, manage design system code, and work with modern design-to-code tools. This guide will teach you everything you need to know to start using Git confidently.
1. What is Version Control and Why Designers Need It
Version control is a system that records changes to files over time, allowing you to recall specific versions later. Here's why it matters for designers:
Never Lose Your Work
Git creates a complete history of every change. Accidentally deleted something? Go back in time. Need to see what changed last week? Git shows you. This is far more powerful than 'Final_v2_FINAL.fig' file naming.
Collaborate Without Conflicts
Multiple people can work on the same project simultaneously. Git intelligently merges changes and highlights conflicts when they occur, preventing the chaos of emailing files back and forth.
Work with Modern Tools
Design-to-code tools like v0, Bolt, and Cursor all use Git. Design tokens, component libraries, and design systems often live in Git repositories. Understanding Git opens doors to these powerful workflows.
Speak the Developer's Language
When you understand Git, communication with developers improves dramatically. You can review their changes, understand their workflow, and participate in code reviews for design-related changes.
2. Installing Git and Setting Up Your First Repository
Let's get Git installed and create your first repository:
Installing Git
On Mac, open Terminal and type 'git --version' - if not installed, you'll be prompted to install it. On Windows, download Git from git-scm.com. The installer includes Git Bash, a terminal for running Git commands.
Configure Your Identity
After installation, tell Git who you are: 'git config --global user.name "Your Name"' and 'git config --global user.email "your@email.com"'. This information appears in your commit history.
Create Your First Repository
Navigate to a project folder in your terminal and run 'git init'. This creates a hidden .git folder that tracks all changes. Congratulations - you now have a Git repository!
Understanding the .git Folder
The .git folder contains your entire project history. Never delete it unless you want to remove version control. You can safely ignore it - Git manages it automatically.
3. Essential Git Commands: Commit, Push, Pull, and Branch
These four commands cover 90% of your daily Git usage:
git add and git commit
Think of 'add' as selecting files to save and 'commit' as actually saving them. Use 'git add .' to add all changed files, then 'git commit -m "Your message"' to save with a description. Write clear messages like 'Update button colors' not 'Changes'.
git push
Push sends your commits to a remote server (like GitHub). Use 'git push origin main' to upload your changes. This backs up your work and makes it available to teammates.
git pull
Pull downloads changes from the remote server. Always pull before starting work to get the latest updates: 'git pull origin main'. This prevents conflicts with teammates' work.
git branch and git checkout
Branches let you work on features without affecting the main project. Create a branch with 'git branch feature-name', switch to it with 'git checkout feature-name'. When done, merge back to main.
4. Collaborating with Developers Using Git Workflows
Professional teams use structured workflows. Here's how to participate effectively:
The Feature Branch Workflow
Create a new branch for each feature or fix. Work on your branch, then create a Pull Request to merge it back. This keeps the main branch stable and allows for code review.
Writing Good Commit Messages
Follow conventions: Start with a verb (Add, Fix, Update, Remove). Be specific but concise. Example: 'Add hover states to navigation buttons' tells exactly what changed.
Handling Merge Conflicts
Conflicts happen when two people edit the same lines. Git marks conflicts with <<<< and >>>> markers. Choose which version to keep, remove the markers, and commit. Most editors highlight these for easy resolution.
Code Review Participation
Review Pull Requests that affect design. Comment on visual changes, suggest improvements, and approve when ready. Your design perspective is valuable in the review process.
Key Takeaways
- Git tracks all changes and lets you go back to any previous version
- Use 'add' to stage files and 'commit' to save changes with a message
- Push uploads your changes; pull downloads others' changes
- Branches let you work on features without affecting the main project
- Clear commit messages make project history understandable