Design Systems Podcast
120. From Designer to Design System Leader: Insights from Allison Shaw's Career Journey
Oct 15, 2024
Allison Shaw, Director of Design for Adobe's Spectrum core team, shares her transformative journey in design systems. With a background at Yelp, Twitter, and Zendesk, she discusses the shift from designer to design leader, emphasizing the importance of humility and mentorship. Highlights include her role in shaping Adobe's cohesive branding, the evolution of design strategies from HTML to mobile, and the challenges of navigating management transitions. Allison's insights provide a roadmap for aspiring design leaders tackling complex organizational dynamics.
33:55
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Quick takeaways
- Allison Shaw's journey from a designer to a leadership role highlights the importance of adaptability and collaboration in fostering effective design systems.
- Her emphasis on building strong mentor relationships illustrates the critical role of personal connections in navigating career transitions and team dynamics.
Deep dives
Understanding Spectrum at Adobe
Spectrum serves as a fundamental design system at Adobe, having evolved over a decade to streamline brand expression across various digital products. The design team, which includes brand designers and creative engineers, ensures that all visual elements like icons and illustrations cohesively reflect the Adobe brand. This integrated structure helps eliminate outdated barriers, fostering a unified experience that enhances user interaction. The organization of the team aligns brand expression with product design, highlighting a significant shift toward a more collaborative environment within the company.
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