Technology leaders such as Apple, IMB, Google, and Atlassian rely on design systems to codify and scale design efforts across entire organizations. However, it’s important to note that design systems are not exclusive to well-known brands; in fact, a study conducted by Forrester in 2020 revealed that 65% of the companies surveyed have integrated design systems into their workflows.
What is a design system?
A design system is a comprehensive collection of design guidelines, principles, components, and assets that are created and maintained to ensure consistency and cohesion in the visual and user interface design of a product or brand. It serves as a centralized resource that helps design and development teams create a unified and coherent user experience across various platforms and devices.
A design system consists of:
- Pattern library
- Design tokens
- Components
- Brand guidelines
- Documentation