Design Systems

First, we had Brand Guidelines. Then Style Guides. And now we have ???????????? ??????????????.

Design systems are a shared language and structured system that streamline workflows, reduce waste, and empower designers and developers to collaborate more effectively.

But that’s not all they let us do…

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Design systems originated from the fundamental need to maintain consistency in branding and user interfaces.

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They provide comprehensive frameworks that combine design principles, reusable components, and guidelines to create a single source of truth for teams.

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Design systems bring order to design, ensuring scalability while remaining flexible enough to evolve and adapt without wasted effort.

As products grow more complex and teams become more distributed, Design Systems have become indispensable for driving consistency and collaboration.

For example, the last Design System we built supported a global team working across Austria, London, Hydredbad, and Atlanta, managing 33 brands. Before the Design System, bespoke components were scattered across projects, creating inefficiencies and maintenance headaches.

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Design Systems require upfront investment, whether in time, resources, or development, but the payoff is significant. They empower teams to work faster and more consistently, ensuring designs can adapt to changing needs and behaviours.

However, it’s essential to remember that Design Systems should never hinder creativity or innovation. A good Design System is dynamic which can evolve alongside the organisation and it’s users. Ongoing maintenance, refinement, and governance are critical to keeping them effective and impactful.

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At Absurd, every project begins with a Design System tailored to the client’s specific needs:

? For some, this might mean a light-touch system, focusing on foundational elements like colours, fonts, and variables.

? For others, it’s a comprehensive solution, encompassing components, templates, and variations.

By integrating Design Systems into our process, we help teams maintain consistency, streamline workflows, and navigate evolving requirements with ease.

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Design Systems are here to stay. Whether you’re designing for a single product or managing a complex, multi-brand ecosystem, they are a vital investment.

By ensuring alignment, efficiency, and adaptability, Design Systems equip your team to solve both short and long term challenges.