Design systems help our creative process by providing us with a consistent set of UI/UX elements that we can use to create streamlined solutions for our clients. By having a library of design elements to choose from, we can save time and effort in the creation process, and ultimately deliver more polished and professional results. Additionally, design systems can help us rapidly edit, iterate and test new user experiences, making it easier to get feedback. In short, design systems help us to be more efficient and effective in our work, and ultimately provide a better experience for our clients and their users.
At Woods & Walker, our design systems help us achieve a number of things. Design systems keep our products consistent, they help us scale design projects more easily, and they improve our design process overall.
Our design system is the heart of how we design at Woods & Walker. It's a living document that contains all of the design elements that we use to create our products. This includes everything from colours and typography to UI components and interaction patterns.
Design systems also help us when we're working on large scale projects. For example, when designing a new product or feature, we can quickly pull in existing design elements from our design system rather than starting from scratch. This helps us move faster and keeps our products consistent.
Overall, design systems help us design better products faster. And that's why we love them!
What is a design system?
A design system is a library of design elements that can be reused to create products. This includes things like colours, typography, UI components, and interaction patterns.
Why use a design system?
There are many benefits to using a design system. First, it helps create consistency across products. This is because when designers reuse design elements from a design system, they’re less likely to make mistakes or inconsistencies. Second, design systems help designers work faster. This is because they can quickly pull in existing design elements rather than starting from scratch. Finally, design systems can help with large scale projects. For example, when designing a new product or feature, designers can quickly pull in existing design elements from a design system rather than starting from a blank canvas.
What are design systems made up of?
There are three main types of design systems:
- Component libraries
- Pattern libraries
- Style Guides
Component libraries are collections of reusable design elements. For example, a component library might include buttons, input fields, and form components.
Pattern libraries are collections of design patterns. Design patterns are solutions to common design problems. For example, a design pattern for an input field might include a label, an input field, and a help text component.
Style guides are collections of style rules. For example, a style guide might specify the colours that should be used in a product, the font family that should be used, and the spacing between UI elements.
What are atoms in a design system?
Atoms are the smallest building blocks in a design system. They can be things like colours, typography, or shapes. By creating atoms that are consistent across all of our designs, we can create a more cohesive and unified look and feel. This makes it easier for users to navigate our solutions and understand how they work. Additionally, it can help us to rapidly prototype new user experiences.
What are molecules in a design system?
Molecules are groups of atoms that work together to create something bigger. In a design system, molecules might be things like buttons, navigation bars, or forms. By using consistent molecules across all of our designs, we can create a more cohesive experience for users. Additionally, this can help scale the product with more ease as it naturally grows and changes.
Molecules in a design system are important because they provide a common language for designers and developers to work with. By using the same molecules, we can create designs that are more cohesive and consistent.
What are tokens in a design system?
Tokens are variables that store design information in a design system. This can include things like colours, fonts, spacing, and more. By using tokens, we can create a more consistent experience for users across all of our products. Using tokens in your design system with developers can also help to ensure that your design is more modular and maintainable creating a smoother handoff from design to development.
When it comes to design systems, there are two types of tokens:
- Visual Tokens
- Non-Visual Tokens
Visual tokens are design values that can be directly applied to UI elements. This includes things like colours, fonts, and spacing. We can achieve a more consistent appearance and feel for our items by utilizing visual tokens.
Non-visual tokens are design values that cannot be directly applied to UI elements. This includes things like brand guidelines and voice & tone. Non-visual tokens help to ensure that products remain on-brand as they scale.
How to use Figma variants in your design system
Figma variants are a great way to store design information in your design system. By using variants, you can easily create different versions of your designs, which can then be used across different products or channels. Figma variants also assist you in maintaining a consistent look and feel across all of your design.
Why you should start using a design system today
A design system can help your team create a more consistent experience for users across all of your products. This can assist you in scaling the product more easily as it grows. In addition, using a design system can help you to maintain a unified look and feel across all of your design products. If you are not currently using a design system, we recommend that you start today. It will be well worth the effort!