100- Dan Mall on Design Systems, Design as a Subscription, and Pricing Design
Dec 7, 2023
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Dan Mall, leading authority on Design Systems and the author, discusses challenges in implementing and maintaining effective Design Systems. He also shares insights on pricing strategies and the evolving landscape of design subscription models. The podcast covers the importance of having clear goals and a vision in order to stay on track, and explores the love for sneakers, particularly the Air Jordan 1 and its various colorways.
Design teams should align their design system metrics with the larger goals of the organization to make a meaningful impact.
Starting design system projects with small-scale pilots allows teams to learn, improve, and ensure successful implementation.
Design teams need to identify metrics that reflect the impact of the design system and tie them to broader company objectives to demonstrate value.
Deep dives
The Importance of Defining Design System Goals
Design systems should have clear goals that align with the overall objectives of a company. Rather than simply focusing on adoption, design teams should connect their design system metrics to the larger goals of the organization. By understanding the destination and purpose of the design system, teams can better prioritize their efforts and make a more meaningful impact.
Using Pilots to Drive Design System Success
Pilots are a valuable approach to starting design system projects. By starting with a small-scale version of a desired outcome, teams can work out any kinks and identify the best practices and components before scaling up. This iterative process allows teams to learn and improve, ensuring a more successful design system implementation.
Measuring Design System Success Beyond Adoption
Design metric should go beyond adoption rates. It is important to identify specific metrics that align with the goals of the organization and reflect the impact of the design system. By tying design system metrics to broader company objectives, such as revenue growth or market penetration, design teams can demonstrate the value and effectiveness of their work.
The Influence of Business Thinking on Design
Designers should develop a deeper understanding of business concepts and metrics to better connect design decisions with business goals. Embracing the language of business allows designers to have more meaningful and strategic conversations, driving better alignment between design and business objectives.
Dan's Sneaker Rotation and Design Classic
Dan's current sneaker rotation features Air Jordan 1s, particularly the Chicago Bread Toes. His favorite sneaker design of all time is also the Air Jordan 1, appreciating its form and versatility. The design captures his love for the sneaker culture and showcases his personal style.
In a world where organizations constantly strive for efficiency and innovation, Design Systems have emerged as essential tools. They are pivotal in delivering greater value to users while simultaneously enhancing team productivity and satisfaction.
Yet, these systems often stumble. Many companies face challenges in implementing and maintaining effective Design Systems.
In our latest episode, Alen and Tom delve into these challenges with Dan Mall, a leading authority on Design Systems and the author of the new book "Design that Scales."
Dan also runs Design System University, creating, collecting, and curating curriculum, content, and community to help enterprise teams design at scale.
Previously, Dan ran design system consultancy SuperFriendly for over a decade. We discuss his experience running a successful distributed agency and his reflections on what he'd do differently a year after wrapping up this business.
Our conversation also ventures into critical areas for design freelancers and agencies: pricing strategies and the evolving landscape of design subscription models. Drawing from his expertise and his book Pricing Design, Dan offers clarity on these often misunderstood topics.
So join us as we uncover the intricacies of successfully implementing and gaining buy-in for Design Systems. Discover how to measure their impact meaningfully, and learn from Dan's extensive experience in running a distributed agency and navigating the complex world of design pricing.
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