Dive Club 🤿

Time to rethink design systems 💡

Nov 18, 2024

The discussion tackles the misconceptions surrounding design systems and their role in startups. Speakers advocate for flexibility over rigid structures, emphasizing speed and adaptability. They showcase tools like Play 2.0 for better prototyping and highlight the need for core components that simplify UI assembly. Stories from Perplexity and Cron illustrate how effective design systems can accelerate early-stage development, encouraging a more streamlined approach to design that fosters innovation.

08:36

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Quick takeaways

Design systems are essential for startups as they provide a foundational toolkit for speed and flexibility in product development.

Emphasizing simplicity in design systems promotes faster iteration by enabling teams to create reusable components without unnecessary complexity.

Deep dives

Reevaluating Design Systems for Startups

Design systems should not be viewed as complex frameworks reserved for large companies but rather as adaptable tools that can benefit startups. The notion that a design system is synonymous with scale is a misconception, as many examples from major companies are not practical models for smaller teams. Instead of mirroring the intricate processes of tech giants like Microsoft or Google, startups can prioritize core components that are essential for rapid iteration and flexibility. By focusing on foundational elements such as buttons, grids, and color systems, startups can create a nimble design toolkit that supports their evolving product vision.

Intro

4min

Building and Prototyping Effective Design Systems

3min

Rethinking Design Systems: Flexibility Over Rigidity

2min

The pendulum has swung too far with design systems. Somehow they’ve become synonymous with scale. But I believe they’re the perfect first step for startups. So this episode looks at stories from Perplexity and Cron to reframe design systems as the key to speed in the early days.

Henry Modisett (Head of Design at Perplexity): https://www.dive.club/deep-dives/henry-modisett

Raphael Schaad (founder of Cron / Notion Calendar): https://www.dive.club/deep-dives/raphael-schaad

Brad Frost (author of Atomic Design): https://www.dive.club/deep-dives/brad-frost