A design system is a system of visual cues, components, layouts, and guidelines to define and support digital experiences.

A design system isn’t a marketing document. It’s a tool to help web designers, developers and user experience experts create cohesive and adaptable products. A design system creates one single source of truth allowing collaboration and synergy.

We can define a design system can by connecting three elements: parts, products and people.

Reusable parts

A component library will feature elements and components to design and build web interfaces. This will include styling, concepts, layouts and interfaces which users will encounter daily.

This includes:

  • colours
  • typography
  • sizing and spacing
  • iconography
  • buttons
  • forms

Products

A design system helps keep teams in sync across a multitude of platforms used by their organisation. It reduces the possibility of work needing to be repeated, and keeps design consistent across platforms.

For example, a corporate website, application system and intranet may have a similar look and function, but they are uniquely different. It’s common for organisations to use many systems and offer different experiences.

A design system connects concepts, ensuring users have similar brand and design experience with all interfaces and touchpoints.

People

A design system is the work of teams collaborating for a cohesive outcome. The team responsible for the project is as important professionals using the system. As a design system matures, it becomes the source for teams to understand, processes and refine digital experiences over time.

To view some example design systems and learn more about how business are improving creating digital experiences see:

You may have noticed that La Trobe recently introduced our own Design System. Keep an eye on the blog for an update about our Design System!

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