Design Systems   •   October 25th, 2023  •   by Dan Olsavsky

Welcome to Lesson 5 of our guide to design system management. In this lesson, we’ll explore the iterative development process of setting up and updating a design system, collaboration strategies among designers, developers, and stakeholders, tactics for ensuring adoption and adherence to the design system, and methods for monitoring and updating the system as products evolve.

Iterative Development Process

Implementing a design system is not a one-time project; it’s an ongoing process that evolves with your products and organization. The iterative development process involves several key stages:

• Initial Setup: Begin by defining the foundational elements of your design system, such as typography, color palette, and UI components. Create a living style guide or design documentation to communicate these standards to the team.
• Component Creation: Develop reusable UI components based on the established design principles. Iterate on these components based on feedback from designers, developers, and users.
• Integration: Integrate the design system into your design and development workflows, ensuring that designers and developers have access to the latest components and guidelines.
• Ongoing Updates: Continuously refine and expand the design system as new patterns emerge, technologies evolve, and user needs change. Regularly solicit feedback from stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.

Airbnb’s design system, called “DLS” (Design Language System), underwent multiple iterations to align with the company’s evolving product ecosystem. By following an iterative development process, Airbnb was able to adapt its design system to meet the needs of different platforms and user segments.

Collaboration Between Designers, Developers, and Stakeholders

Successful design systems require strong collaboration between designers, developers, and stakeholders. Here are some strategies to foster effective collaboration:

• Cross-functional Teams: Encourage designers, developers, and stakeholders to work together in cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and transparency throughout the design system’s lifecycle.
• Regular Sync Meetings: Schedule regular sync meetings where team members can discuss progress, share insights, and address challenges. Use tools like Slack, Zoom, or project management software to facilitate communication.
• Co-design Sessions: Host co-design sessions where designers and developers collaborate on creating and refining UI components. This collaborative approach ensures that both design and technical considerations are taken into account.

At Atlassian, the team uses a collaborative approach called “Design Spikes” to explore and validate design solutions. These spikes involve designers, developers, and product managers working together to rapidly prototype and iterate on ideas, fostering cross-functional collaboration and innovation.

Strategies for Ensuring Adoption and Adherence to the Design System

Adoption and adherence to the design system are critical for its success. Here are some strategies to promote adoption:

• Education and Training: Provide training sessions and resources to familiarize team members with the design system’s principles, guidelines, and tools.
• Incentives: Offer incentives, such as recognition or rewards, for teams that successfully implement and adhere to the design system in their projects.
• Continuous Support: Provide ongoing support and guidance to teams as they integrate the design system into their workflows. Address any challenges or concerns they may encounter along the way.

Google’s Material Design system offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and resources to help designers and developers adopt its guidelines. Google also provides tools like Material Design Components for different platforms to facilitate implementation and adherence.

Monitoring and Updating the Design System as Products Evolve

As products evolve, it’s essential to monitor and update the design system to ensure relevance and consistency. Here are some methods for monitoring and updating the design system:

• Usage Analytics: Track usage metrics and user feedback to identify areas of the design system that may need improvement or refinement.
• Versioning: Implement versioning to manage changes and updates to the design system effectively. Clearly communicate changes to stakeholders and provide migration paths for existing projects.
• Feedback Loops: Establish feedback loops with designers, developers, and stakeholders to gather insights and suggestions for improving the design system over time.

Salesforce’s Lightning Design System incorporates a feedback mechanism where users can submit feedback and requests directly through the documentation website. Salesforce uses this feedback to prioritize updates and enhancements to the design system.

Final Thoughts

Implementing and maintaining a design system is a complex but rewarding endeavor. By following an iterative development process, fostering collaboration among team members, promoting adoption and adherence, and monitoring and updating the system as products evolve, organizations can create consistent, efficient, and user-centric experiences across their products and platforms.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article! I value your interest and engagement. I invite you to continue the conversation by sharing your thoughts, questions, or feedback in the comments section below. Don’t forget to like and share this article with your network if you found it valuable. And remember to check back in a couple weeks for my next insightful article. Until then, stay creative and keep exploring!