Everything You Need to Know About Design Systems

Design systems have become integral to my daily work, and it seems they are for many others too. I’ve grown even more convinced that every brand and product will eventually adopt a Design System, be it simple or complex, strict or flexible, mono or cross-platform.

What Exactly is a Design System?

There’s some confusion around what constitutes a Design System. It’s not just a Sketch library, nor is it merely a Style Guide or a Pattern Library. In fact, it encompasses all these elements and much more.

A Design System is a comprehensive source of truth which consolidates all the components necessary for teams to design, realize, and develop a product. A Design System includes both tangible and intangible elements:

• Tangible: Tools for designers & developers, patterns, components, guidelines.
• Intangible: Brand values, mindset, shared beliefs, and ways of working.

Style Guide vs. Pattern Library