Design Systems Improve Consistency and Productivity

We’ve heard the term design systems be used in many different ways, some correct and others not even close. So, we would like to clear up the confusion and shed a light on the benefits of design systems. It’s not icon set building, a style guide, or a simple UI kit.

Large companies benefit from design systems, so act like them until you are one

Many large companies have design systems, but they aren’t just for large companies. Often large companies are just more organized and have long since graduated from the frantic mess of repeating the same steps over and over again. Out of necessity large companies added efficiency and productivity. You should too.

Internal Productivity and Consistency is what design systems are all about

Imagine building something complicated with legos, but every time you need a new piece you have to build it from scratch. Design systems are meant to be like all the lego pieces you will ever need for your specific brand, design, marketing, or anything that is outward facing. Designers who need to create the same button dozens of times will tell you that just plug and play is so much quicker.

Everyone on your team benefits from design systems

Growing startups are full of energetic and busy people usually wearing multiple hats. They often don’t have the luxury of pulling valuable designer time to create proposals for sales or assets for marketing. A design system could empower a marketing intern to create materials that perfectly represent your brand in a consistent and beautiful way. When this occurs everyone has more time to spend on big picture items instead of focusing on getting a logo just right because it already is.