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A lean approach to design systems
In this article, Moses explains how a Minimum Viable Design System (MVDS) enables small teams to maintain consistency and reduce design debt without the demands of a traditional design system. By focusing on core components, lightweight documentation, and version control, it can provide immediate, scalable benefits that adapt as the product grows.
Managing Design Systems with Many Core Libraries
Nathan discusses the complexities of managing design systems with multiple core libraries across platforms like web, iOS, and Android. They highlight that, as systems scale to support various frameworks, teams face challenges in aligning design, APIs, testing, and release synchronisation to maintain a unified experience across libraries.
Patterns in Design Systems
Dave explores different ways to classify and implement design patterns in design systems, moving from core components to more abstract service patterns. They identify four types of patterns—UI, Behavioural, Service, and Feature Modules—each offering unique benefits and challenges for documentation, scalability, and reusability in design work.
Implementing RTL Support in Baklava: A Deep Dive
Erbil details Baklava’s approach to implementing Right-to-Left (RTL) support, emphasising the use of CSS logical properties and custom properties to maintain adaptability across language contexts. By leveraging these properties, Baklava enables seamless, efficient RTL functionality, ensuring globally accessible web applications that cater to diverse user needs.
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Calculating the ROI of Your Design System
Luke provides practical methods for calculating the ROI of a design system to justify its value to stakeholders. They outline strategies such as measuring time and cost savings, calculating the value of individual components, using team happiness metrics, and connecting the design system to user outcomes to showcase its impact.
Balancing Specificity and Scalability
Francesco explores strategies for balancing specificity and scalability in design tokens to ensure flexibility and consistency. By combining specific and general tokens, using component-level tokens, and categorising tokens into functional groups, designers can minimise unintended changes while keeping the system adaptable.
The Best Examples of Data Visualization in 11 Leading Design Systems
Supernova highlights how leading design systems like those from IBM, Datadog, and Twilio prioritize data visualization to present complex information clearly and accessibly. By using techniques such as colour limitations, responsive design, and interactive elements, these systems help users interpret and act on critical data effectively across various platforms.
Why do we need a design system?
Rob explains that UK government departments benefit from their own design systems to meet the unique needs of internal digital tools. While the GOV.UK Design System suits public services, departmental systems ensure internal tools are efficient and user-centred for daily use.