110. The Evolution of ServiceNow's Design System with Meredith Van Lier
May 28, 2024
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Meredith Van Lier, Director of Product Management at ServiceNow with over 15 years in enterprise and consumer spaces, discusses the transformation of ServiceNow's design system. She emphasizes a shift towards a flexible, user-centric approach, promoting collaboration and accessibility. Key topics include integrating design systems in low-code environments, enhancing user experience through customization, and fostering shared ownership in design principles. Meredith also highlights the importance of quality over quantity in product development, ensuring a seamless experience for users.
ServiceNow's design system has evolved from a rigid framework to a more flexible, user-centric approach that encourages customization and collaboration.
The integration of the design system within ServiceNow's low-code builder enhances user experience by ensuring seamless incorporation of design elements into applications.
Deep dives
The Purpose and Evolution of Design Systems at ServiceNow
The design system at ServiceNow was initially developed to ensure consistency within their product workspace, which is part of their internal software. After four years of use, the design system is being evolved to enhance its flexibility for customers, aiming to be more open and customizable. This shift is significant as it allows customers to build upon the design system rather than just use a rigid set of components. The goal is to offer a foundational structure that supports both internal teams and external customers in creating tailored applications.
Integration of the Design System into Product Development
ServiceNow's design system is deeply integrated into their low-code builder, allowing both internal teams and customers to utilize its components seamlessly. As application pages are built, they automatically incorporate the design system's features and theming capabilities, ensuring a coherent user experience. This close integration means that even when customers build applications for their own workflows, they are using foundational elements of ServiceNow’s design capabilities. The design system essentially supports various back-office tasks, helping streamline interactions and improve efficiencies in task resolution.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Enhances Design System Ownership
Ownership of the design system resides within the product management team at ServiceNow, emphasizing its integral role in the overall product strategy. This approach fosters collaboration between product managers, UX designers, and engineers, creating a unified vision that drives the development process. Engaging different disciplines early in decision-making ensures that the design system evolves in ways that meet the diverse needs of both internal users and external clients. This collaborative environment not only enhances the quality of the design system but also reinforces its alignment with business objectives.
Future Directions for ServiceNow’s Design System
Looking ahead, ServiceNow plans to make its design system more accessible and supportive of customer needs through the introduction of various foundational design systems. These systems will cater to different users, including internal builders and web application developers, enabling greater customization and configuration while preserving essential functionality. Significant enhancements will focus on theming capabilities, allowing customers to style their applications precisely to brand specifications. Additionally, ServiceNow aims to launch a public design system website to share best practices and guidance, further placing their design system in the spotlight and ensuring clients fully leverage its potential.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Meredith Van Lier, the director of product management at ServiceNow. Chris and Meredith discuss the unique evolution of ServiceNow's design system and its shift towards a more flexible and user-centric design approach, emphasizing collaboration, automation, and accessibility. Learn about the strategic vision, collaborative efforts, and meticulous attention to quality defining ServiceNow's design system.
Meredith Van Lier is the Director of Product Management, leading a team of product managers responsible for the Horizon Design System and UX foundations at ServiceNow. She provides product direction and strategy, focusing on driving modern experiences by enabling customers to design and build great experiences through the use of the design system. Meredith has more than 15 years of experience across enterprise, finance and consumer spaces.
Host Chris Strahl is co-founder and CEO of Knapsack, host of @TheDSPod, DnD DM, and occasional river guide. You can find Chris on Twitter as @chrisstrahl and on LinkedIn. Sponsor Sponsored by Knapsack, the design system platform that brings teams together. Learn more at knapsack.cloud.
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