Case Study
Design Systems
Oppia Design System
Starting a design system from scratch— with the help of junior designers
Info
Role: Design Consultant Lead
Timeframe: 3 Months
Tools: Figma
Challenge
Oppia's previous attempt at a design system (in XD) was incomplete and lacked the flexibility needed to support our growing product ecosystem. Migrating to Figma provided an opportunity to not only rebuild the system from the ground up, but also to refine our design language, standardize token values, and establish a robust foundation of base components. The remote team structure also presented a communication and collaboration challenge, requiring us to adopt new strategies for feedback and review.
Solution
Bi-weekly check-ins with the junior designers were essential. They presented their work, and I provided feedback on areas like color palettes, typography, component consistency, and accessibility considerations, ensuring adherence to the system's principles and WCAG guidelines. We used Trello for task management, and I reviewed all design changes before each meeting, integrating approved components into the master library. We also established a clear documentation system within Figma to ensure everyone was on the same page.
Process
Over two months, we delivered a functional design system, codenamed "Orion," ready for company-wide adoption. This included a comprehensive style guide, component library, and usage guidelines, all accessible within Figma.
Results
Previously, designers at Oppia spent significant time recreating common UI elements, leading to inconsistencies and hindering design velocity. My prior experience working in this environment highlighted the critical need for a centralized design system to streamline workflows and improve the overall user experience. This project reinforced the importance of clear communication, structured workflows, and a user-centered approach to design system development.
The "Orion" design system is projected to reduce design and development time by an estimated 20% and improve design consistency across all Oppia products. Early feedback from the design team has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the system's ease of use and comprehensive documentation. I'm confident this new system will not only improve design efficiency and consistency but also empower designers to focus on solving complex user problems and creating more impactful experiences. Future iterations will focus on expanding the component library and integrating the system more deeply with our development processes.