Getting design systems right

Historically, design systems were often treated as component libraries – collections of reusable parts like buttons, fonts, and colors, much like Lego bricks. But in reality, design systems today are much more. They function as interconnected ecosystems designed to unify efforts across teams, including marketing, design, and engineering. A well-crafted design system empowers the entire organization, providing teams with a framework that ensures visual consistency, speed, and alignment across projects.

At Manyone, we see three essential pillars to creating a successful design system: a scalable foundation, user-centered usability, and strong governance. These elements contribute to a connected, resilient design system that fosters collaboration and evolves as brand needs change.

• Scalable foundations: The core of any robust design system is a scalable, adaptable foundation that can support multiple products and platforms. Standardizing elements avoids duplicate efforts, saving time and resources.

• Usability as a priority: Design systems should feel intuitive and easy to navigate. Treat it as a product in itself. When the system is user-friendly, it becomes a valued tool for designers, engineers, and marketers alike.

• Governance and adaptability: Successful design systems require oversight to ensure standards are upheld, and adjustments can be made as needed. Transparent governance helps teams manage the system sustainably, enabling seamless updates when brand guidelines or market demands shift.

Looking ahead, we see an exciting evolution for design systems driven by AI and data integration. By turning design elements into data points, brands can leverage machine learning to help generate on-brand designs faster, respond to user preferences, and experiment quickly. Design systems aren’t static; they’re adaptable frameworks. Through innovative governance and advanced tooling, design systems will become more than a visual guide – they’ll be intuitive, flexible systems that keep pace with changing user and brand needs.