When writing a feature ticket and specifications for UX design, there are several important elements to consider to ensure that the design team has a clear understanding of what is required. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Clearly define the problem: Start by clearly defining the problem that the feature is intended to solve. This should include a brief overview of the current situation, the user pain points, and the business goals.
2. Break down the task: Once the problem is defined, break down the design task into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes it easier to track progress and ensures that the work is completed in a timely manner.
3. Clearly state the design objective: Clearly state what you hope to achieve with the design task. This could include improving usability, increasing engagement, or meeting a specific business goal.
4. Provide context: Make sure to provide context for the design task. This includes information such as customer type/category, user goals, and any relevant research or data. Define user personas if possible. User personas are an important tool for UX design, as they help to ensure that the design is tailored to the needs and preferences of the target audience. Be sure to provide information on the user personas that the feature is intended for.
5. Describe the feature: Next, describe the feature in detail, including the functionality and how it will be used by the user. This should include information such as user flow, user interface elements, and any interactions that are required.
6. Provide wireframes or mockups: It's helpful to provide wireframes or mockups to illustrate the feature and give the design team a visual representation of what is required. This can also help to ensure that the design is consistent with the rest of the product.
7. Include specifications: Include specifications such as screen breakpoints if necessary for this, as well as any relevant technical details that developers need to know.
8. Existing reference points: Guess what? Designers are visual workers. A current/ past or potential visual reference could be would be super helpful to add if you have them. Any screenshots, existing designs, old Figma prototypes, or steps to reach the current interaction could help your designer build over the current situation from where the design need arises. Consider the first thing a designer would need to see: What happens currently? How do we perform this job without my upcoming solution? What are we trying to fix? Are the base designs already done? Do I have to make only a few amendments to the existing design or go back to the whiteboard and start designing from scratch? To answer these questions, the designer needs the visual reference points, and having them in the Jira ticket would speed up the process.
9. Priority: A design project lies on a broad spectrum; it could be a long-term user experience overhaul or an urgent bug fix requiring product design outcomes before the end of the sprint. We could solve this problem in several stages. Somewhere in the ticket, and clearly, set expectations around the priority and timeline of this design task. This discussion between the ticket reporter and the designer should be something that should occur early on in the process.
10. Scope: How big do you want the designer to go in here? Do you want them to do deep research, quick research, or just a call with internal stakeholders before “lifting their design pen”? Discussing the scope of the design ticket sets a precedent of how far it needs to lie in this immediate ticket to be successful. This is also an excellent opportunity to craft specific user journeys and the minimum requirement an acceptable design solution should fulfill. Note that the Why could be very different from this scope in many tickets.
11. Use a consistent format: Use a consistent format for all design tickets to ensure that they're easy to read and understand. Avoid complexities so that the designer understands it
12. Review and refine: Review the design ticket with stakeholders, developers, and other team members to ensure that it's clear and complete. Refine as necessary based on feedback.
13. Assign ownership: Assign ownership for each design ticket to ensure that everyone knows who is responsible for completing the task.
14. Specify acceptance criteria: Acceptance criteria are the specific conditions that must be met for the feature to be considered complete. This should include both functional and non-functional requirements, as well as any performance or usability requirements.

By following these best practices, you can create a feature ticket and specifications that clearly outline the requirements for the UX design team. This can help to ensure that the design meets the needs of the user and achieves the desired business outcomes. Jira is a great tool to create design tickets.