85. Driving speed and consistency: The power of design systems in startups with Jamie Totten at Klue
Sep 27, 2023
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Jamie Totten, UX Engineer at Klue, discusses the challenges and benefits of implementing a design system in a fast-paced startup. They emphasize the importance of voluntary commitment, maintaining positivity, and making the most with limited resources. They also explore the significance of attention to detail, adherence to standards, and building strong relationships between design, engineering, and product teams.
A design system in a startup can drive speed, consistency, and increased velocity by componentizing and making micro design decisions to help teams move faster.
Maintaining a positive mindset, embracing flexibility, and focusing on incremental improvements are key factors for the success of a design system in a startup.
Deep dives
The Role of Design Systems in a Tech Startup
Jamie Totten, a UX engineer at Clue, discusses the importance of design systems in a tech startup like Clue. The design system at Clue is focused on a guild format, where people are volunteers and there is no fixed leader. Jamie serves as the guild coordinator. Currently, the design system powers the front end of Clue's web app, with the goal of eventually powering everything.
Investing in a Design System for Increased Velocity and Consistency
Clue's decision to invest in a design system stems from the desire to achieve increased velocity, speed, and consistency. They believe that componentizing and making micro design decisions can help the design, front-end, and product teams move faster. Despite resource constraints, Clue recognizes the value of a design system and aims to reap its benefits.
How Clue Organizes and Manages Design System Work
Clue's design system work is organized through regular guild meetings held every other week. During these meetings, the team reviews their backlog, discusses design system issues and previous action items, and delegates tasks. They also have a two-hour working session to focus on design system components. The team ensures that people have dedicated time for uninterrupted work on the design system.
Maintaining a Positive Attitude and Embracing Flexibility
Clue's approach to the design system is characterized by maintaining a positive mindset and embracing flexibility. They acknowledge the challenges that come with limited resources and changing priorities. While they may face occasional frustrations, they focus on leaving the system better than it was and value incremental improvements. Their positive attitude and adaptability contribute to the success of the design system at Clue.
Chris Strahl sits with Jamie Totten from Klue and they unpack the unique challenges and benefits of implementing a design system in a fast-paced startup. Drawing inspiration from Spotify's "guild format", they emphasize the importance of voluntary commitment, maintaining positivity and on making the most with limited resources.
Register here for our upcoming webinar, ‘What Really Matters in Design Systems’ on October 25th.
Guest
Jamie Totten is a UX Engineer at Klue, where he facilitates and coordinates the Design System Guild efforts, and hopes to someday turn the guild into a real team. Embedded on the Design team, he supports product and engineering teams with their features. He loves systems thinking, design, and engineering. He also loves clean, well structured code, and thoughtful design that solves human problems.
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.
Sponsored by Knapsack, the design system platform that brings teams together. Learn more at knapsack.cloud.
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