A Digital Strategy Podcast

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

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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.

      • Links

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      A Digital Strategy PodcastBy Tennis