DesignOps – Project specific Design System
Goal: Reduce the need for engineers to navigate through a larger design system when working on a one-off product.
While working on one off products, which used new engineering technology, we found we needed a more fluid system than our large enterprise design system. While most items within the product were standard to our enterprise design system, we worked on new components and more accessible friendly patterns that the enterprise software could not handle at that time.
Design system within a Figma page
Rather than having the engineers move between our design system and project user stories, we had a single page within the larger initiative Figma file where we had the patterns. We could then link internal Figma pages (corresponding to the related user story) to the established patterns.
The new designer workflow allowed for collaboration during implementation with the engineer working on the user story, updates to the individual story, and then being able to document the actual implementation outcome. If the team (Product and Engineering) felt like it was a pattern we wanted to bring back to the main software, the design team would transfer or update the patterns in the main design system.
Samples of sections within the Figma Design System page
User story within Figma pages
Every user story within the initiative (that required UX/UI) had it’s own page that linked back to the story in Jira. Along with the Jira link, we also included a quick link to the design system page for the engineers to have quick navigation to the project’s patterns.
If there were specific callouts we would add a details section with copy suggestions, patterns, and grid alignments.
Related Projects
Product Design – Community Site
Full Product - Community SiteA year in the life of...OverviewThe community site was their first yearlong project. Standard web design process, information discovery, spec development, wireframes, mockups, and development. When launched, engagement spiked, and we truly...
Product Redesign
Product RedesignUser feedback, lost deals, & new technology = Redesign for more revenue.OverviewThe B2B platform was in desperate need of a redesign. Customers consistently commented on its dated style and general overwhelming nature of the platform. Many of the...
Product Design – Enterprise LMS
Full Product - Enterprise LMSTasked with a training portal learning management system (LMS), we needed to train users and employees on our products and best practices.OverviewAfter the success of the community site rollout, we were next tasked with a training portal...