User Experience
Design System
Plain English
A toolkit for consistent design.
Definition
A design glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term is a collection of reusable components, guidelines, and standards for building consistent products.
In practice
Used to maintain glossaryConsistencyConsistency is the use of uniform patterns, behaviours, and visual elements across a product to create familiarity and predictability. It helps users learn once and apply that knowledge throughout the experience.Open glossary term across design and development through shared glossaryPatternA reusable solution to a common design problem.Open glossary term and components.
The reality
Often created but not maintained, leading to inconsistency over time.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is a design system?
A set of components and guidelines for design.
Why is it important?
It ensures glossaryConsistencyConsistency is the use of uniform patterns, behaviours, and visual elements across a product to create familiarity and predictability. It helps users learn once and apply that knowledge throughout the experience.Open glossary term and glossaryEfficiencyEfficiency measures how quickly and easily users can complete tasks once they are familiar with a system.Open glossary term.
What does it include?
Components, glossaryPatternA reusable solution to a common design problem.Open glossary term, and rules.
What is a common issue?
Lack of maintenance.
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