Design That Scales: Sustainable Design Systems

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

8 hours 28 minutes
Sessions

On-Demand
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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Design systems are critical for ensuring scalability, consistency, and efficiency in modern digital products. This course equips learners with the knowledge and strategies to build sustainable design practices that grow with organizational needs. Throughout the course, you will explore practical frameworks and methods to create, launch, and evolve design systems. You’ll learn how to define clear system strategies, implement effective governance, and align teams across functions for long-term adoption. What sets this course apart is its product-based approach, combining theoretical foundations with real-world applications. By studying proven workflows and governance models, learners gain insights that directly translate into improved team collaboration and system efficiency. This course is designed for design system leads, UX/UI designers, engineers, and managers who want to strengthen their design operations. No prior experience with design systems is required, though a basic understanding of design processes will be helpful. Copyright @ 2023 Dan Mall. All rights reserved. Originally published by Rosenfeld Media, LLC. This course edition is published by Packt Publishing under license from Rosenfeld Media LLC. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise-without prior written permission from the author or the publisher.

Syllabus

Why Design Systems?

In this section, we explore the role of design systems in ensuring consistent user interfaces across platforms, enhancing team collaboration, and supporting scalable product development. Key concepts include standardized components, cross-platform consistency, and long-term maintainability, with practical applications in improving efficiency and user experience.

Design System Fundamentals

In this section, we explore design systems as interconnected ecosystems and ongoing processes that support digital collaboration. Key concepts include their multifaceted nature, components like style guides and component libraries, and their role in fostering consistency and scalability across teams.

The Parts of a Design System Product

In this section, we explore the essential components of design systems, including UI kits, component libraries, guidelines, and design tokens, and how they enable consistent digital experiences. We compare component libraries with design systems, emphasizing their roles in connecting digital ecosystems and facilitating efficient development across platforms.

The Broken Business of "Buy-In"

In this section, we examine why traditional design system adoption strategies often fail, focusing on the challenges of securing buy-in and creating practical, reusable components. We highlight the gap between idealized processes and real-world implementation, emphasizing the need for sustainable, team-driven approaches to ensure long-term success.

Pilots - The Best Way to Start and Sustain a Design System

In this section, we explore how to begin and maintain a design system by testing it through real product work. The approach emphasizes using product-based pilots to validate design system concepts, refine them based on outcomes, and ensure scalability and usability in practical scenarios.

Governance and Contribution

In this section, we explore design system governance frameworks and contribution workflows, emphasizing real-world application of open source models to improve team collaboration and clarity. Key concepts include defining roles, analyzing workflows, and aligning responsibilities to enhance contribution and maintain consistency in design systems.

Roles and Responsibilities

In this section, we explore how to apply Agile principles to design system workflows, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing working software over comprehensive documentation. Key concepts include analyzing team roles, understanding documentation practices, and focusing on delivering functional tools that provide immediate value to users.

Process and Workflow for Design Systems

In this section, we examine the evolution of advertising from rigid processes to collaborative frameworks, emphasizing the impact of teamwork and shared vision. Key concepts include the Hot Potato method, creative team dynamics, and historical case studies like Lee Hats and Volkswagen's 'Lemon' campaign. The focus is on how mutual respect and interdisciplinary collaboration drive innovation, offering practical insights for modern creative workflows.

Success Metrics for a Design System

In this section, we explore how to establish meaningful success metrics for design systems by implementing OKRs and analyzing team motivation through autonomy and purpose. We focus on creating measurable goals, tracking user impact, and aligning organizational objectives to ensure long-term system success and team engagement.

Evangelism Never Stops

In this section, we explore how to structure design systems using user-centric layouts and thematic organization, drawing parallels to a LEGO store's curated display. The content emphasizes creating modular components for scalable reuse, enhancing usability through real-world analogies and practical design principles.