When I first took on the role as a design system lead in 2008, the design system was a set of guidelines and rules that was available as a resource but with no enforcement plan in sight.
This led to inconsistent implementation, and as the team kept growing it was clear that the lack of a unified system was causing inefficiencies and confusion, hindering our ability to deliver cohesive and high-quality designs.
To address these challenges, I initiated a comprehensive audit of the system's consumption. This step was crucial in identifying the pain points and areas that needed immediate attention.
Product Release AOS | Date | Library Adoption |
|---|---|---|
5.18 | 08/2020 | 43% |
5.2 | 05/2021 | 50% |
6.0 | 06/2021 | 63% |
By capturing data on how the design system was being used, we were able to establish clear metrics for improvement, setting the stage for a structured approach to transformation.
On the engineering side discussion to standardize and migrate application as part of new features allowed the company to slowly transition to our libraries.
Strategic Improvements: Centralization and Adoption
One of the most significant changes I implemented was the evaluation and adoption of a centralized tooling system. This decision came with its own set of challenges. Convincing the procurement team and executive leadership to invest in new tools required strategic communication and a clear demonstration of the potential benefits. Internally, I also faced the task of convincing designers to transition to tools they were unfamiliar with.
To ensure a seamless transition to our new design tools, my team and I created a comprehensive series of workshops and online learning resources. These materials were carefully crafted to simplify the learning process and equip our designers with the skills they needed to maximize the potential of these tools.
Our efforts yielded impressive results, with a remarkable 100% adoption rate among our design team. This achievement marked a significant milestone, enabling us to redirect our focus from tracking adoption to driving continuous improvement and refinement of our systems.
Product Release AOS | Release Date | Library Adoption |
|---|---|---|
6.1 | 02/2022 | 86% |
6.5 | 07/2022 | 100% |
6.6 | 01/2023 | 100% |
Current Scope and Direction
Fast forward a couple of years, and our team has grown to include 6 full-time designers and 4 full-time engineers dedicated to taking our design system to the next level. Right now, we're laser-focused on upgrading our React components to the latest version, ensuring they meet the highest security standards and pass rigorous testing. This effort is a key part of our strategic plan to bring our design system up to speed with industry best practices, without disrupting our entire system. We're committed to delivering a world-class design experience that meets the evolving needs of our users
We're committed to understanding our users' needs and challenges. Through open communication channels with both designers and engineers, we continuously gather feedback, identify areas for improvement, and refine our design system to ensure it remains responsive to user needs.
To measure our progress, we conduct yearly interviews to assess the design system's state and identify opportunities for growth. Our UX/UM score helps us track changes over time and quantify the impact of our roadmap on both engineering and design teams. This data-driven approach enables us to make informed decisions and drive meaningful enhancements to our design system.
Leadership Learnings: Growth and Development
Transforming our design system has been a game-changer for me, offering a wealth of valuable lessons. To drive such a massive overhaul, I had to develop a deep understanding of what makes teams tick, how to manage complex projects, and how to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
One of the most critical aspects of this journey was change management. It wasn't just about having the technical know-how; I also had to be able to clearly articulate the vision and benefits of the new system to stakeholders at every level. This ability to communicate the "why" behind the change was key to securing buy-in from both our executive team and designers.
Through this experience, I've gained a unique combination of skills, including the ability to grow and develop high-performing teams, create effective training programs, and manage cross-functional projects. I'm confident that these skills will serve me well in driving future success.
The Road Ahead
As we look to the future, our focus remains on continuous improvement and modernization. Our goal is to transition to more modern standards while maintaining the core principles that have guided the system's development. This includes a commitment to consistency, efficiency, and collaboration.
We're exploring new technologies and methodologies that can enhance the design system's capabilities like the integration of our documentation to our Slack chat bot for questions regarding standards.
