# Caching, Payloads, and Other Dark Arts: Optimizing UX in Suboptimal Conditions

> Conference talk by Faris Aziz · 30 min · React, NextJS, Performance, Architecture, Caching, TanStack Query. Book it: https://faziz-dev.com/invite?format=talk&talk=Caching%2C%20Payloads%2C%20and%20Other%20Dark%20Arts%3A%20Optimizing%20UX%20in%20Suboptimal%20Conditions

## Abstract

This talk breaks down real world data fetching challenges at scale and how to solve them with modern patterns like the BFF layer, granular payload shaping, prefetching, and critical versus optimal queries. We walk through progressively improving an architecture that starts with five parallel client side requests against a bloated API, then move the work to a proxy handler, and finally to a fully optimized TanStack Query setup with server prefetching and resilient fallbacks.

All demos were recorded on a long haul flight using in flight WiFi, showing how these patterns behave under real latency, unstable bandwidth, and failure conditions. The goal is to prove that these techniques are not academic. They directly affect reliability, performance, and user experience in harsh environments where debugging, caching strategy, and payload discipline make or break your product.

## Audience

Frontend and full stack engineers working on data heavy products

## Key takeaways

- Optimize for progress, not perfection
- Using the BFF pattern as a pressure valve
- Design for bad networks and partial failures
- Ship under constraints without creating long term debt
- Cache with intent, not optimism

## Deliveries (16)

- August 12, 2026 — The South’s flagship tech & AI conference for developers and modern builders.
- July 7, 2026 — Online
- May 14, 2026 — in the heart of Transylvania ❤️ · [recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cskBH7qYso)
- March 5, 2026 — STRV
- February 19, 2026 — Adverity
- December 18, 2025 — LisboaJS
- November 18, 2025 — React Summit US
- October 28, 2025 — International JavaScript Conference
- September 27, 2025 — Voxxed Days Crete · [recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm__sHBLOrY&list=PLRsbF2sD7JVqG1GRbL7KeFscgt72uLmgI)
- August 5, 2025 — Software Architecture Conference
- April 7, 2025 — jsday
- March 25, 2025 — Voxxed Days Zurich
- August 22, 2024 — React & Chill Conference · [recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV5wWqoYNjg)
- July 3, 2024 — Zurich ReactJS Meetup
- April 24, 2024 — CityJS Athens · [recording](https://www.youtube.com/live/O3vJnQfdiJY?feature=shared&t=13173)
- February 22, 2024 — React Advanced London

---

Faris Aziz — Staff Software Engineer & Conference Speaker, Geneva.
Site: https://faziz-dev.com · Invite to speak: https://faziz-dev.com/invite · Consulting: https://cal.com/farisaziz12/discovery-call · Mentorship: https://faziz-dev.com/mentorship
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12 · GitHub: https://github.com/farisaziz12 · Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/farisaziz.com