13 Design Systems Articles
The hidden cost of component inconsistencyThe hidden cost of component inconsistency
Inconsistent components fragment the user experience and inflate maintenance costs. The real price is distributed across code reviews, accessibility debt, onboarding friction, and constrained upgrades, and it compounds faster than most teams realize.
Are your design tokens doing more harm than good?Are your design tokens doing more harm than good?
Design tokens are meant to unify design and development, but structural gaps can limit their effectiveness and create hidden costs.
Why your design system score is lower than you thinkWhy your design system score is lower than you think
Exploring the common gaps between perceived and actual design system health, and why teams often overestimate their progress.
Accessibility debt: why it compounds and how to fix itAccessibility debt: why it compounds and how to fix it
Accessibility debt doesn't start with bad code. It starts with bad architecture. Learn how to address the root causes and build a more accessible product.
What a broken handoff actually costs your engineering teamWhat a broken handoff actually costs your engineering team
A broken design-to-code handoff process can generate hidden costs for engineering teams, leading to duplicated work and inefficiencies.
Build or buy: making the right choice for your design systemBuild or buy: making the right choice for your design system
Deciding whether to build a design system in-house or buy a commercial solution is a critical choice. Here's how to evaluate your options and make the best decision for your team.
Component libraries for teams that support multiple frameworksComponent libraries for teams that support multiple frameworks
Teams that build for React, Vue, and Angular face a real architecture challenge. This article covers the three main approaches: web components, headless patterns, and token-driven architecture.
What is a design system audit?What is a design system audit?
A design system audit identifies inconsistencies, accessibility gaps, and structural problems in your component library before they become expensive. Here's what one covers and why teams commission them.
Design systems are easy until you ship oneDesign systems are easy until you ship one
Design systems look simple from a distance. A shared library. A consistent UI. Faster delivery. Fewer bugs. Fewer debates. It's a compelling story, and it's not wrong.
Everything you need to know about design tokensEverything you need to know about design tokens
Design tokens are the foundation of any scalable design system. This guide explains what they are, how they work, how to name and structure them, and how to use them across Figma and code.
How to improve your Figma-to-code workflowHow to improve your Figma-to-code workflow
Figma-to-code handoff breaks down in predictable ways. This article explains why, and gives practical steps for designers and developers to fix it together.
What your component library actually needsWhat your component library actually needs
What a component library needs varies significantly depending on your rendering model. This guide covers the bare essentials for server-rendered monoliths, client-rendered frameworks, and hybrid frameworks.
Design systems and component libraries for the rest of usDesign systems and component libraries for the rest of us
A lighthearted look at building design systems without the ceremony, complexity, or committee-induced paralysis.