Without a design system, every new feature is a negotiation. With one, teams ship faster and with greater consistency.
Start with tokens, not components
Design tokens, colours, spacing, typography scales, are the foundation. Get these right before building components.
Components are contracts
A button isn’t just a visual element; it’s a contract between design and engineering. Document props, variants, and states explicitly.
Governance matters
A design system without adoption is just a side project. Assign ownership, run office hours, and celebrate teams who use it well.