Design Systems (Smashing eBooks)

by Alla Kholmatova

How does a team start thinking about design more systematically? Typically, when they notice issues with their current workflow. Designers become frustrated always solving the same problems, or not being able to implement their designs properly. Developers are tired of custom styling every component and dealing with a messy codebase. Both struggle to meet the deadlines and demands of a growing product.

Creating consistency is like making small promises throughout the interface (when you see a pink button it is always an action; the “Cancel” button always comes before “Submit”). When people can be confident of what will happen, they can rely on the product. Consistency helps to build trust.