On Theme: Design Systems in Depth

📲 Text the show your thoughts!Chat, this is the last episode of season one! Thank you for listening and supporting the show! There's no better way to wrap up, IMO, than an optimistic and curious exploration of what it means to be a creative human in an increasingly technological world.So to wrap up season one, Natalya Shelburne joins me to explore how design leaders can cultivate creativity in an era of rapid technological and organizational change. Drawing from her degree and research in creativity, Natalya shares insights on fostering innovation, overcoming fear-driven management styles, and why embracing artistic thinking is essential for teams navigating the age of AI. She explains the importance of creating safe environments to unlock creative potential and why outdated corporate structures simply can't compete. Plus, flow state, goats, expansive thinking, and hobbies. Links & ReferencesNatalya Shelburne on LinkedInGitHub PrimerNatalya's talk at Beyond Tellerand, Channeling Chaos: Role of the Artist in the Age of AITwilio's Paste design system assistantResearch and books mentioned:Lev Vygotsky on cognitive developmentLauren Sosniak on phases of learningDr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's classic book Flow and an overviewOliver Burkeman's Four Thousand WeeksThe Extended Mind💖 On Theme is a brand new podcast, so if you like what you're hearing, please hit subscribe and sign up at designsystemsontheme.com!🎨🎟️ Into Design Systems is May 25-28Get your ticket at intodesignsystems.com/onthemeInto Design Systems is back with their annual virtual conference, May 28-30, 2025. Get your ticket now for three days of practical, hands on sessions showing the what, why, and how of design systems. This year, the conference is focused on developer handoff, accessibility, multi brand theming, and governance. You'll get hands on knowledge you can put to use at work immediately, files and resources to take away, and hear from very well known industry speakers. 

Sam Anderson, Director of the Intuit Design System, discusses the evolution of design systems in the context of AI’s rapid advancement. He emphasizes viewing design systems as essential infrastructure for business success and shares insights on the importance of design patterns. Anderson dispels fears surrounding AI, suggesting it will enhance the value of design professionals instead of replacing them. The conversation also touches on bridging the gap between design and code and embracing change with optimism, highlighting the need for creativity in challenging times.

📲 Text the show your thoughts!Guy Segal joins Elyse to unpack the messy, complicated world of… people. Guy shares practical strategies from his experience at Thomson Reuters, including the powerful "pre-mortem" exercise he used to rebuild trust and alignment for the design system. They get vulnerable and unpack why (as cliche as it sounds!) genuine listening, storytelling, learning to give and receive feedback, and actively engaging with product teams, is so much more impactful than relying solely on processes or artifacts. Plus, Guy shares why he hated it at first when product teams started using the name of the design system.Links & ReferencesGuy Segal on LinkedInGuy's talk at BeMore Festival on feedback, Working with Humans: Resolving Conflicts with EmpathyGuy's talk Mastering the Painless Design CritiqueGuy on the Knapsack Design Systems PodcastGuy's podcast, Design Downtime, celebrating the joys of living a balanced creative life outside the pixels and wireframesBrad Frost's article Choosing a Name for your Design System💖 On Theme is a brand new podcast, so if you like what you're hearing, please hit subscribe and sign up at designsystemsontheme.com!🎨🎟️ Into Design Systems is May 25-28Get your ticket at intodesignsystems.com/onthemeInto Design Systems is back with their annual virtual conference, May 28-30, 2025. Get your ticket now for three days of practical, hands on sessions showing the what, why, and how of design systems. This year, the conference is focused on developer handoff, accessibility, multi brand theming, and governance. You'll get hands on knowledge you can put to use at work immediately, files and resources to take away, and hear from very well known industry speakers. 

📲 Text the show your thoughts!Ben Callahan joins Elyse for a fun conversation on creating impact with design systems. Ben shares insights from his consulting experience, discussing common pitfalls like organizations expecting a design system without adequately supporting their teams. They break down the "Four Quadrants of Design System Impact" framework, which breaks down tactical versus strategic work, helping teams avoid pitfalls like endless component creation. Plus, hear Ben’s predictions for the future of design systemsLinks & ReferencesBen Callahan on LinkedInThe QuestionRedwoods, Ben's community supporting design system practitionersBen's post on The Four Quadrants and Why you’re NOT seeing Holistic Impact from your Design SystemBen's overview of our episode of The QuestionCam Worboy's Broken Promises of Design Systems talk at Config 2024 (and the worst screen made with DS components)Kotter's Leading Change book💖 On Theme is a brand new podcast, so if you like what you're hearing, please hit subscribe and sign up at designsystemsontheme.com!🎨🎟️ Into Design Systems is May 25-28Get your ticket at intodesignsystems.com/onthemeInto Design Systems is back with their annual virtual conference, May 28-30, 2025. Get your ticket now for three days of practical, hands on sessions showing the what, why, and how of design systems. This year, the conference is focused on developer handoff, accessibility, multi brand theming, and governance. You'll get hands on knowledge you can put to use at work immediately, files and resources to take away, and hear from very well known industry speakers. 

Marcela Rodriguez Joos leads the design system at UPS and plays a crucial role in the One UPS project, aiming to unify the brand's digital experience. In the discussion, she shares how a pivotal moment from the CEO sparked this transformation. The team successfully shortened development timelines from years to months and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in a large organization. Marcela also highlights the journey of cultural shifts, the value of storytelling in leadership, and shares spicy insights on implementing design systems.

Daniel Henderson-Ede, Head of Design Technology and Systems at Mantis& Co., shares valuable insights on accessibility in design. He challenges the flawed belief that design systems automatically ensure accessibility, emphasizing ongoing effort and individual responsibility. The discussion explores the need for empathy in design, the limitations of relying solely on accessibility experts, and the integration of accessibility guidance in design documentation. Daniel advocates for hands-on experience to enhance user understanding, especially for individuals with disabilities.

In this engaging discussion, Amy Ogg, a design system practitioner at Therapy Brands, shares her journey into new roles. She highlights the emotional rollercoaster of starting a design system position and offers strategies for the first 30-60-90 days. Trust-building is key, as Amy elaborates on the Benjamin Franklin effect and how helping others fosters connections. She also emphasizes the importance of cross-training and understanding team dynamics. With anecdotes from her barista days, she demonstrates how diverse experiences can shape UX design.

Jeff Pelletier, a frontend engineer with a design background, shares insights on strengthening the collaboration between designers and engineers in building effective design systems. He highlights the importance of establishing API-first component specifications to ensure alignment between design and code. Jeff discusses common challenges in workflows, the significance of thorough documentation, and how to navigate the complexities of handoffs. Additionally, they explore strategies to minimize distractions for developers, enhancing productivity and design quality.

Smith Schwartz, Product Design Manager at Spotify, and Tyce Clee, Engineering Manager, dive into the monumental redesign of Spotify Ads Manager. They discuss the shift from a playful to a more data-focused UI, showcasing how their local design system harmonized with Spotify’s global framework. The duo emphasizes the importance of storytelling alongside metrics for securing internal buy-in and fostering collaboration. They also highlight how a catchy name like 'Bye Purple' played a pivotal role in aligning the team and prioritizing the project.

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.