My read was references to JavaScript (largely a codeword for web development, even if it can now be used in a larger context), and repeated references to buildi

My read was references to JavaScript (largely a codeword for web development, even if it can now be used in a larger context), and repeated references to building a product (which in context seemed to imply working directly on shipping code). The argument for designers learning web programming skills is more explictly made elsewhere, and I am picking up enough hints of the same here. In the end "you will need to code to do your job" is just not as hot of a statement, because this is broadly true in any industry.