Design Systems Worth Building: A Practical Guide

A design system is only valuable if people use it. Here's how we approach building systems that teams actually adopt.

Start Small, Think Big

Don't try to systematize everything at once. Start with the components you use most: buttons, inputs, cards, typography.

Document as You Go

Every component should have:

Usage guidelines

Code examples

Accessibility notes

Do's and don'ts

Make Adoption Easy

The easier it is to use your system, the more it will be used. Provide:

Copy-paste code snippets

Figma components that match code 1:1

Clear upgrade paths

Conclusion

The best design system is one that grows with your product. Start simple, iterate based on real usage, and always prioritize developer and designer experience.