The Unintended Design System: Lessons from an Accidental Journey

It started innocently enough—a project aimed at refreshing legacy code with the modest goal of updating outdated styles and improving code efficiency. However, as we navigated through the complexities and interconnectedness of our product's interface, we inadvertently laid the groundwork for a full-fledged design system. This journey, while unexpected, taught us invaluable lessons about design, development, and the serendipity of discovery. Here's a look back on our unintentionally intentional result and what we would do differently next time.

The Accidental Genesis

Our initial objective was straightforward: modernize the look and feel of our platform and clean up the sprawling spaghetti code that had accumulated over the years. As we delved into the project, the necessity for standardized components, colors, and typographies became glaringly apparent. What began as a cleanup effort slowly morphed into creating a unified design language—a collection of reusable components and guidelines that would streamline this project and future development efforts.

Key Learnings from Our Unplanned Journey

The Power of Incremental Progress

One of the first lessons learned was the value of incremental progress. Each small step towards standardizing a component or refining a UI pattern contributed to a more extensive, cohesive system. This approach made the task less daunting and allowed for flexibility and iteration based on real-time feedback and discoveries.

The Importance of Documentation

As our design system began to take shape, the importance of documentation became crystal clear. We should have appreciated this aspect initially, leading to clarity and inefficiencies. Proper documentation is the backbone of a design system, ensuring it can be easily understood, adopted, and maintained by current and future team members.

Collaboration is Key

Another critical realization was the importance of cross-functional collaboration. Design systems bridge the gap between design and development, and fostering open communication and cooperation from the outset would have streamlined our process significantly. Engaging all stakeholders—designers, developers, product managers—early in the conversation ensures buy-in and facilitates a more unified vision.

What I'd Change Next Time

Reflecting on this accidental yet fruitful endeavor, there are several things I'd approach differently in future projects:

Intentionality from the Start

While our design system emerged organically, a more intentional approach would have saved time and resources. Recognizing the potential for a design system early on and setting it as a project goal would streamline the development process and ensure a more coherent outcome.

Invest in Documentation Upfront

Given the hindsight, investing time and resources into documentation from the start would be non-negotiable. Comprehensive, clear, and accessible documentation ensures the design system is a living, evolving tool that grows with the product and the team.

Establish Clear Governance

A design system without governance is like a ship without a rudder. Establishing clear guidelines for the evolution and use of the design system ensures consistency and quality over time. This includes defining who can make changes, how those changes are reviewed, and how updates are communicated to the team.

Plan for Maintenance

Finally, recognizing that a design system is never truly "finished" is crucial. It requires ongoing maintenance and updates as technology, design trends, and user needs evolve. Planning for this continuous evolution will ensure that the design system remains relevant and valuable.

Our journey from refreshing legacy code to accidentally building a design system was unexpected but incredibly rewarding. It highlighted the serendipitous nature of creative work and the unexpected paths projects can take. Looking back, this experience taught us the value of flexibility, the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the need for foresight in documentation and governance. While we might not have set out to build a design system, the lessons learned from this accidental achievement will inform our approach to projects for years to come, ensuring more intentional, efficient, and collaborative processes in the future.