Fuller · Design Systems

Design systems and brand systems are very close relatives. They share the same approach of scalability, consistency, and reusability, even if with different focuses. In this article, designers from Pentagram, How&How and Studio Blackburn share how they approach systems when designing identities: https://lnkd.in/dE8Htqpk Some ideas that struck us: 1. Consistency should not only be embedded in the work but also be easy for the client to maintain. 2. Following the system should be easier than not using it. 3. Guidelines should highlight the importance of going beyond the basics. Nothing can beat close collaboration between brand design and product design. At Fuller · Design Systems, we work with brand agencies to help them adopt a product design vision, bringing our expertise in design systems to the table. This way, the brand proposals can be easy to implement, adopt, and evolve over time while staying true to the original principles. Make sure to read the full article for more insights into how these designers think.

At Fuller, we emphasize designing accessible components. Beyond the basics like colour contrast, we consider many more advanced practices to keep accessibility into account. This article by Javier Cuello summarises many of the key points: https://lnkd.in/deHvmJxr However, designing accessible components is just the beginning. Documentation (which we also provide) is crucial for implementing these components effectively. In the same way, guidance for designers is also essential, as an "accessible component" can still be used inaccessibly. Read the article to learn more, and let us know if there's anything we can help you with. #accessibility #designsystems

When we talk about "consistency" in design systems, we mean creating a cohesive experience that builds user trust at every step. By reusing components and patterns, we can help users feel comfortable and know what to expect. We noticed that the login experience for ChatGPT is quite fragmented. As you can see on the image below, each screen features a different button style—black, green, blue. This inconsistency can create uncertainty about how the content is connected, and requires users to expend more effort to understand it. At Fuller, we focus on design systems to ensure a smooth experience for you and your users. Consistency is a powerful tool for building trust and respect in your products and brand. #designsystem #designsystems

This article contains plenty of examples on how to meet accessible color contrast ratios. At Fuller, we consider accessibility from the beginning, ensuring our components not only meet requirements but also create a more inclusive experience for everyone. While there's much more to accessibility than just color contrast, reading this article is a great starting point if you want to improve your UI for all users. https://lnkd.in/drWgP2JM

Introducing a new initiative by Fuller to help people find their dream job in a design systems team.

Design tokens serve as a cornerstone in any design system! At Fuller, they often mark the starting point for new projects, as establishing a robust foundation lays the groundwork for components and beyond. If you're grappling with the concept of design tokens, we've got some exciting news for you! We've just published an article that covers all the basics. Packed with examples and visuals, it's designed to be easily digestible, even for those new to the concept. Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/dgb9rjBt And if you find it helpful, feel free to share it with others in your network!. #designsystems

This article outlines Geri Reid's journey in enhancing accessibility within a multi-brand design system. https://lnkd.in/dcaxwnGk The post delves into their process of auditing their Sketch libraries, alongside designing and implementing fixes to achieve more accessible components. It's noteworthy how they leveraged external experts for audits and insights on testing methodologies. As highlighted in the post, while accessible components are crucial, they alone won't address all product challenges. Hence, the importance of establishing supportive programs for product teams. Congratulations to Geri and team! #accessibility #designsystems

Design systems are dynamic products that evolve over time, making the process of updating tokens and components just as crucial as their initial creation. In this article, Lukas Oppermann shares his approach to ensuring compatibility and preventing disruptions. Here are some key points: → Utilise branches in Figma to isolate changes, reducing clutter during updates and facilitating review requests. → Secure and restrict access to libraries, allowing only a select few to edit while others can view. → Implement a deprecation workflow for situations where maintaining backward compatibility isn't feasible. → Maintain a changelog detailing all modifications categorised into three groups: breaking changes, updates, and improvements. Be sure to read the full article for deeper insights into these processes. At Fuller · Design Systems, we echo Lukas's sentiments. Additionally, we focus on creating components and tokens that are easy to maintain, ensuring a smooth updating process when the time comes. #figma #designsystems

Javier Cuello has just published a tutorial on how to use variables in Figma: https://lnkd.in/dmmWkzsD It covers all the basics and includes several examples. Hopefully, it proves helpful to anyone looking to start implementing a design tokens approach in their components. #figma #designsystems

We enjoyed reading this insightful article by Brian Alfaro and Victor Aguilar about their implementation of component sprints within The Washington Post's Design System. Here are some key takeaways: - They significantly reduced the delivery time of new components from six weeks to just around 10 days. - All components are simultaneously available in Figma and code libraries, so no one is designing or building with assets that don’t exist. - Their open approach fosters a sense of ownership among team members, emphasising the importance of collective stewardship. We particularly resonate with their view that "Design systems don’t just deliver components—they act as bridges, facilitating connection and understanding across teams." At Fuller, we firmly believe in the power of early collaboration between designers and engineers, alongside inclusive discussions involving all stakeholders, to achieve outcomes that address everyone's needs. Go read the full article! #designsystems