In recent years, there’s been a rising trend within product teams and the design community pointing to design systems for poor design decisions and the resulting low-quality experiences. Once hailed as models of efficiency and consistency, design systems are now frequently perceived as stifling creativity, bearing the brunt of blame. This shift in perspective seems to unfairly punish systems.
While design systems play a crucial role in promoting consistency, efficiency, and scalability in design, they are sometimes over-utilised by some designers and design leaders. The prevalent view is that design systems encompass the entire design process, including the discovery phase.
This assumption is a slippery slope, as it implies these systems guide all aspects of design, from inception to completion. This perception often clouds the true nature and purpose of design systems.
Where has the low fidelity conceptual exploration gone? Focusing on the problem and exploring solutions is more important than complying with a system.
Design systems primarily serve as delivery instruments, not discovery tools. They are most effective when used to expedite and standardise the implementation phase of design, promoting consistency in user experience and boosting productivity. By using design systems in discovery, we could stifle creativity by imposing premature constraints on exploratory and innovative aspects of design.
Furthermore, design systems are sometimes perceived as the ultimate solution, rather than a source of guidance. This could lead to over-reliance on the system, marginalising creative thought and problem-solving. Design systems should be regarded as a foundational structure to build upon, not as a comprehensive solution that leaps over creativity and experimentation.
It is important to mention that design systems are not rigid mandates, but rather guiding rails. They provide a structured framework that supports and enriches the design process without inhibiting the freedom to innovate, enabling faster and more consistent development.
That said, design leaders and design systems teams have a responsibility to communicate the role systems can play in the process effectively. There’s a certain amount of public relations and educational work to be done around them!
Understanding their purpose and knowing when and how to use them can offer a significant advantage.