Design Systems Advocate, Jina Anne

Approach

I enjoy design systems, tools, and processes. More importantly, I like looking at ways to improve collaboration and improving communication; I love community and people. It’s why I love design systems in the first place. Because design systems are for people.

Design systems are for people

• Be open, inclusive, and community-driven. Open source. Share what you learn.
• “There is no design system”. 😜 Or, rather than only focusing on the artifact (a style guide website, UI Kit, pattern library, etc) — see Design Systems is a continuous way of thinking & working.
• Technology stacks and tools come and go. Be agnostically-minded and future-proof.

Design Systems are a shared ownership

• Anyone should be empowered to contribute to design systems.
• Close gaps (rather than simply bridging them).
• Design Systems are more successful with cross-functional skills represented.
• Avoid silos.

Hybrids have a place in design systems

• There is no need to “bucket” someone to focus only on design or only on engineering. Let people shine by using their diverse range of skills.
• The “design” in design systems is to solve problems for the overall experience. Everyone impacts that.
• Designers who code and coders who design are able to show their work in exciting ways. Let’s embrace that.

Show. Don’t tell.

• To get buy-in, don’t just talk about potential. Show examples and concepts. Prove it with visible outcomes and incremental progress.
• Rather than aiming for massive impact that takes awhile, focus on the incremental wins. The smaller success stories cultivate adoption faster.
• Share the vision with everyone.