Platform Design System
Project Overview:
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Objective: To develop a design system that would ensure consistency across all user interfaces, speed up development, and allow for easy scalability as new features were introduced.
Challenge Statement:
The platform lacked a unified design approach, leading to:
- Inconsistent user experience across different modules.
- Longer development cycles due to custom design for each new feature.
- Difficulty in white labeling the platform at scale.
Design System Development:
1. Research & Audit:
- Conducted an audit of existing design elements.
- Analyzed user feedback on UI inconsistencies.
- Benchmarked against successful design systems in similar tech spaces.
2. Components & Patterns:
- Atomic Design Methodology:
- Atoms: Defined fundamental elements like colors, typography, icons.
- Molecules: Combined atoms into simple, reusable components (buttons, inputs).
- Organisms: Created more complex components like navigation menus, course cards.
- Templates: Laid out page structures for consistency.
- Pages: Full mock-ups of user journey flows.
- UI Kit: Developed in Figma, including:
- A comprehensive style guide.
- Reusable component library.
- Guidelines for usage and accessibility.
3. Brand Language Integration:
- Ensured all design elements supported client visual identity and aesthetics.
4. Documentation & Implementation:
- Created extensive documentation for internal use, covering:
- How to use each component.
- Accessibility considerations.
- Responsive behavior.
- Introduced the system to the team with workshops to ensure smooth adoption.
5. Testing & Iteration:
- Iterative user testing to refine components based on real user interactions.
- Feedback loops with developers to adjust for technical constraints.
Results:
- Design Consistency: Achieved a 90% reduction in design discrepancies across the platform.
- Development Efficiency: Reduced UI development time by 40% through component reuse.
- User Satisfaction: Increased user ratings on platform aesthetics and usability by 25%.
Challenges and Learnings:
- Challenge: Balancing consistency with the need for visual variety across different white-labeled experiences.
- Learning: The value of community-driven design feedback in refining a system’s practicality and appeal.
Conclusion:
The design system was pivotal in enhancing our platform’s user experience, ensuring that as we grew, our design scaled seamlessly.
It not only served as a tool for current projects but set a foundation for future innovations within the platform.
What’s Next?
- Continuous updates to the design system based on new tech trends and user needs.
- Expansion of the system to support new interaction paradigms.