How can you design systems that are both complex and efficient?

Consider the example of designing a software application. When you clearly define the problem it's meant to solve and the criteria for success, you can avoid feature bloat, where unnecessary or redundant functions are added, causing complexity without value. Moreover, thinking about the broader context, such as users, stakeholders, resources, environment, and potential risks, is vital. By doing so, you set the stage for an efficient and purpose-driven system that aligns with the core objectives.

As the system evolves it is important to be able to react to changes due to issues that weren’t obvious at the start. Always be sensitive to cooling and hot spots as the physical product evolves. Always be sensitive to cable service loops and access. Always ensure maintenance and accessibility can be accomplished without issues. Be sensitive to the separation of power and signal cables. Ensure all cabling is properly shielded and browned, avoid ground loops. Be extremely careful if you are faced with red/black considerations. Provide sufficient isolation from radiators and receivers. Ensure that it will fit where is supposed to.

Applying design patterns in system design is a smart move. It's like having a toolkit of tried and tested solutions for common problems. This not only streamlines the design process but also promotes consistency and maintainability. However, it's essential to ensure that the chosen design patterns align with the specific problem and requirements of your system. A thoughtful selection can significantly enhance your system's efficiency and overall quality.

There's a lot of research out there on design patterns that have been proven to perform and it makes totally sense to include such patterns in your design system. This can come in various forms and at different levels of granularity: one design pattern could be very specific and inform a specific component while other patterns could be included in the form of a written guideline while other in the form of an example template that can cover a whole page. The challenge is to understand if and why a design pattern applies to your product and how is translated into your design system language as a whole and what impact in can have on its parts.

The evaluation and iteration phase is critical in system design. It's the phase where you validate your system against the initial criteria and user expectations. Regular and systematic evaluation, along with data-driven decision-making, ensures that your system remains aligned with its intended goals and continues to perform efficiently. The iterative process allows you to refine and enhance the system based on real-world feedback, making it a crucial element in achieving sustained efficiency and effectiveness.