On Theme: Design Systems in Depth What happens when your system can’t support your flagship product?, with Adriana Morales — #08
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Mar 10, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Adriana Morales, Design Principal at HEB's Mortar Design System, shares her insights from her extensive career at top firms like PayPal and IBM. She tackles the tough question of what to do when a design system can't support flagship products. Adriana delves into the 'system of systems' concept, the importance of empathy in design, and methods to foster collaboration between design and engineering teams. Her innovative workshops and strategies for overcoming organizational silos are particularly enlightening.
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Legacy Tech Challenges Anecdote
- Legacy tech stacks and differing technology like React or Angular can prevent unified design system adoption.
- At IBM, multiple design systems existed because teams built their own due to tech stack and platform differences.
No One-Size Design System
- A one-size-fits-all design system rarely meets all teams' needs effectively.
- Enterprises must balance breadth of support and team autonomy due to complexity and scale.
System of Systems Insight
- Acquisitions often result in multiple design systems coexisting within one company.
- Some companies adopt a "system of systems" approach, letting teams customize on top of core ingredients.