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Design Systems Podcast

118. Reusability, Collaboration, and Empathy: Catalina Manea on Bridging Design and Development to Build Applications with Design Systems"

Sep 17, 2024
Catalina Manea, a Senior Designer at Spelunk with a deep-rooted background in graphic design, shares her transformative journey into systems-focused design. She dives into the importance of reusability and adaptability within design systems, emphasizing collaboration between designers and developers. Catalina argues that these systems are not just about aesthetics but also about functionality and enhancing teamwork. Empathy emerges as a key theme, underscoring the necessity for mutual understanding to tackle user needs effectively in agile environments.
25:34

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Design systems promote reusability by encouraging designers to create components applicable across multiple contexts, enhancing overall efficiency.
  • Collaboration and empathy between design and development teams are crucial for building effective design systems that address complex application needs.

Deep dives

Transitioning from Visual to System Design

A designer’s transition from visual design to system design emphasizes the shift from focusing on individual features to address broader application needs. This shift allows designers to consider how their work impacts multiple products, fostering collaboration with engineers and marketers. By embracing system thinking, designers are better prepared to create reusable components and solve complex problems that span across various applications. This new perspective enhances the synergy between design and development teams, leading to a more cohesive workflow.

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