Pattern Libraries, Style Guides and Design Systems.

Design systems, pattern libraries, and Style Guides.

These are common terms in the design universe, I am sure a junior designer somewhere is wondering if they are all the same? Well, not really, but they share the common objective of making the design process more efficient and convenient.?

A pattern Library

This is an organised set of related, usable components. They often contain code examples, design guidelines and use cases. They can also include pattern names, visual representation, design elements, code samples, tables, feedback, use cases and related elements.?

These elements can be re-used multiple times.?There is no guideline on how they should be assembled, any cohesive and coherent composition works.?

They are a solution to a common problem and make it very easy to maintain various projects. An example we can look at is Mail Chimp.?

Style Guides?

This is a physical or digital document that represents the styles, practices, and principles of a company or brand and instructs on how they can be used across content.?Components of style guides include design principles, best practices, brand styles, use cases, writing styles and tone, iconography and imagery.?

A good example in this scenario being NASA.

A Design system

This is a set of connected elements that form a complex coherent whole that’s easier and simpler to use because it brings more structure and meaning. It can help you move from building consistent UIs to whole complex products which can scale.?

In other words, it is like a shared language in a nation. The comprehensive set of values, semantics, syntax, and context that forms the foundation of a shared design language. Having a shared language allows us to connect quickly and accomplish our goals by speaking a similar dialogue, understanding each other's hopes, dreams and purposes concretely.?

A design system can include a pattern library, style guide, conceptual model, language, design resources and shared code components. Sprinkled across this will be a shared meaning, context and understanding that will simplify it for any current and future user.?

Design systems are essential since they assist in setting standards for governance that increase efficiency in the future.?

A good example in this context can be that of Shopify.?

Which of these three do you need right now??

If you are a huge company building multiple products, maybe you need to put in dedicated time to create a whole design system to make the work going forward more efficient..?

If you are a small team, working on a single project or product, maybe a pattern library or style guide is enough because things may be a little relaxed on the ground and this might be enough to ensure you chat forward consistently. That said, the right practice is key for future success and therefore I would encourage every designer to have in place proper designing systems that make scaling quite easy.?