CREATING AN AGENCY DESIGN SYSTem

Design systems create consistency across a product (or products) by providing reusable components and clear guidelines. They allow designers to iterate quickly and focus on research efforts instead of reinventing patterns. Design systems are a natural fit for software companies but pose challenges for agencies. Applying a design system can be challenging because no two clients are the same. Each client brings its own branding, goals, and technical constraints to the table.

I took on the task of creating a design system for my team that was made up of prebuilt components and that would be used as a starting point for the UX Designers. I wanted it to be customizable and scalable, so it could be adjusted to each diverse client. As communication is an essential part of design, I considered what I could include to enable better communication between designers and developers. The result was a set of components and a documentation template that team members use to design more efficiently and enhance communication.