Navigating Design Systems: Finding the Right Approach for Your Product
Design systems are a collection of standards, reusable components, and guidelines that work together to create a cohesive and consistent look and feel across a product or suite of products. By establishing a shared language between designers and developers, design systems reduce redundancies, streamline workflows, and enhance collaboration.
One critical decision teams may face is whether to use an existing design system or build one from scratch. This choice hinges on various factors which includes cost, level of customization, team expertise, scalability, and project requirements.
Using an Existing Design System
There’s no shortage of design systems available today, with popular examples including Material Design, Atlassian Design System, Lightning Design System, Fluent Design System, Carbon Design System, and Prime. These systems are essential tools for teams looking to save time and resources while maintaining consistency. However, choosing this approach comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks.
Pros:
Efficiency and Speed: Predefined components and patterns reduce design and development time, allowing teams to focus on functionality and user experience.
Cost-effective: Saves the time and effort required to create, code, and document components from scratch.
Plenty of Options: With hundreds of design system options available, it’s easier to find one that fits your specific needs.
Cons:
Limited Customization: Predefined components may not fully support unique branding or functional requirements, leading to creative constraints and limited customization.
Lack of Differentiation: When using a popular design system, your product can look similar to competitors, potentially reducing your brand identity.
Outside Dependency: Teams will have to depend on the system for updates, bug fixes, and new features.
Building a Design System
While existing design systems offer convenience, some teams may find that their specific needs are best served by building a custom design system. This approach is ideal for teams requiring unique branding or functionality. Creating a design system from scratch involves careful planning and resource allocation. There are various benefits and disadvantages that should be considered.
Pros:
Branding: It allows for a distinct design aesthetic that reinforces brand identity and sets the product apart from competitors.
Full Control: Teams have full control over every aspect, from design tokens to component functionality, ensuring alignment with the product’s specific requirements.
Scalability: A custom system can scale alongside your product, adapting to new features, platforms, and use cases.
Cons:
Time Intensive: Significant time and upfront investment is required to define, design, code, and document components, particularly for complex projects.
Maintenance: The design system must be regularly updated and maintained to keep up with evolving product needs.
Risks of Delays: The time required to establish a robust design system may delay product development or updates.
Which Approach Is Right for Your Team?
The choice between using an existing design system and building your own depends on your team’s goals and resources. Existing design systems are ideal for teams prioritizing speed, cost-efficiency, and consistency, especially when branding differentiation isn’t a primary concern. For products requiring unique branding, tailored functionality, or scalability, building a custom design system offers greater creative control and long-term flexibility, despite the higher upfront investment.
Regardless of the approach you choose, the success of a design system lies in how well it aligns with your product’s needs, utilizes your team’s capabilities, and enhances the user experience. By making the right decision, you can create a foundation that not only supports your current product but also lays the groundwork for the future.
If you’re unsure which design system approach is right for your team, our team can provide a third-party evaluation to help guide your decision or assist with resources needed to build a custom design system. Contact us to discuss how we can support your team make the right choice that meets your design system needs.
Discover YOUR perfect UX package today. Contact MoserUX for more information at marketing@moserit.com.