Curso Diseño UI - 13. Sistemas de Diseño

Summary

This lesson explores the concept of design systems, emphasizing their role as a collection of well-documented components and guidelines for building digital products. It covers essential elements like design principles, voice tone, colors, typography, and design component libraries, highlighting how companies like Medium, Apple, and Adobe define and apply these elements to create consistent, user-friendly interfaces. The script also discusses how design systems facilitate collaboration between designers and developers, reducing friction and streamlining the design process. Finally, the lesson offers book recommendations for further reading and references to enhance understanding of design systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 A design system is a comprehensive collection of components and guidelines, both in design and code, to help organizations build digital products.
• 😀 Design systems are particularly useful for applications as they allow for the reuse of design components, but they can also be applied to websites.
• 😀 The elements of a design system include design principles, voice tone, color and typography definitions, and a component library.
• 😀 Design principles define the paradigms that guide decision-making in design, such as prioritizing direction over options, appropriateness over consistency, and evolution over finalization.
• 😀 Voice tone in a design system outlines how a product communicates with users, such as being clear, genuine, and occasionally humorous, while ensuring it’s appropriate for the context.
• 😀 Colors and typography in a design system define the brand’s visual identity and are crucial for creating consistency in design, with detailed specifications on sizes and colors.
• 😀 A component library consists of reusable design elements (like buttons and icons) that can be used across various product screens, saving time and maintaining consistency.
• 😀 A well-documented component library should also include code, enabling seamless communication between designers and developers.
• 😀 Design systems are not a new concept; they’ve existed for a long time, but are now being applied more extensively to digital products, bridging design and development.
• 😀 While initially tedious, documenting design components and creating systems of design makes the design process faster and more efficient in the long run, allowing for better consistency and quicker production.

Q & A

What is a design system?

A design system is a comprehensive collection of components and guidelines, both in design and code, that organizations use to build their digital products. It allows for the reuse of design elements and ensures consistency throughout the design process.

Why are design systems particularly useful for applications over websites?

Design systems are more commonly used for applications because the content and design components of an application are more reusable across different screens and user interactions, making it easier to maintain consistency and streamline the design process.

What are the key elements of a design system?

A design system typically includes principles of design, tone of voice, color and typography guidelines, and a library of reusable design components.

What are design principles, and why are they important in a design system?

Design principles are guidelines that dictate how design decisions are made within an organization or for a specific product. These principles help ensure consistency and coherence in design choices, like reducing options for clarity or focusing on appropriateness over strict consistency.

Can you give an example of design principles from Medium?

Medium’s design principles include 'direction over options', meaning they prefer to give fewer choices but clear direction, 'appropriate over consistent', ensuring each design element fits the context, and 'evolving over finalized', meaning designs are continuously updated rather than fixed.

What does 'tone of voice' mean in the context of a design system?

Tone of voice refers to the way a product or brand communicates with users, shaping how language and messaging are conveyed in the user interface. For instance, Mailchimp uses a clear, genuine, and humorous tone, but avoids humor in serious situations.

How do tone of voice guidelines influence product design?

Tone of voice guidelines help ensure that the language used in the product matches the brand’s identity and the context of user interaction. For example, QuickBooks uses a tone that is optimistic, proactive, and empathetic, ensuring the user feels supported and motivated.

Why are color and typography important in a design system?

Color and typography are essential because they define the visual identity of a product or brand. A well-established set of colors and fonts helps maintain consistency across various interfaces and ensures the design aligns with the brand’s overall aesthetic.

What is a component library in a design system?

A component library is a collection of reusable design elements, like buttons, input fields, and icons, that can be used across multiple screens and products. These components help ensure consistency and speed up the design process.

How does a design system benefit the collaboration between designers and developers?

A design system acts as a bridge between designers and developers by providing clear documentation on how design elements should be implemented. This helps eliminate friction between design and development, ensuring that both teams are aligned and can work more efficiently.