A Digital Strategy Podcast

Don't Build a Design System Until You See These 3 Signals

Episode Summary

The worst design system project is one that starts too early. Wrong timing, wrong scope, wrong people and it dies in a folder somewhere, untouched. In this episode, Symon and Marcello break down the three signals that tell you you're actually ready for a design system, the two signs you're definitely not, and how to scope a version one that people will actually use. They also cover the build or buy decision, and why adoption matters more than architecture. This is Part 3 of a 3-part series on design systems.

Episode Notes

The worst design system project is one that starts too early. Wrong timing, wrong scope, wrong people and it dies in a folder somewhere, untouched.

In this episode, Symon and Marcello break down the three signals that tell you you're actually ready for a design system, the two signs you're definitely not, and how to scope a version one that people will actually use. They also cover the build or buy decision, and why adoption matters more than architecture.

This is Part 3 of a 3-part series on design systems.

💡 Key Topics:

• The 3 readiness signals: when a design system actually makes sense
• 2 signs you're starting too early (and will waste the investment)
• Build, buy, or borrow: product systems vs. web experience systems
• Who needs to be in the room beyond design and engineering
• How to scope v1 so it ships in weeks, not months
• The 90-day check: how to know if it's working
• Why the first step is always an audit

📖 Chapters:

• 0:06 — Series recap and what we're covering today
• 0:56 — The worst design system project starts too early
• 1:30 — Signal 1: Multiple teams making decisions independently
• 2:22 — Signal 2: You're scaling, rebranding, or rebuilding
• 3:55 — Signal 3: Recreating instead of creating
• 4:30 — Not ready: your brand isn't stable yet
• 5:33 — Not ready: no one to own it
• 6:09 — Build, buy, or borrow
• 7:49 — Web experience systems: Relume and Osmo Supply
• 8:27 — Who should manage the design system
• 9:39 — Scoping version one: start with what you rebuild every time
• 10:48 — The most common scoping mistake
• 12:05 — The 90-day check: is anyone actually using it?
• 12:57 — Start with an audit
• 13:33 — It doesn't have to be perfect. It has to exist.