On Theme: Design Systems in Depth

Hand off the API: a design & build workflow for components, with Jeff Pelletier — #10


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Design systems aren’t just about components—they’re about how teams work together to build better UI. Jeff Pelletier, a frontend engineer with a design background, joins the show to talk about feature workflows for design systems, how design and engineering can work in parallel, and why documentation should be part of the process, not an afterthought. Jeff and Elyse dive into how to create API-first component specs, the challenge of design-code parity, and the ~drama~ of having a formal process.

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Links & References

  • Jeff Pelletier on LinkedIn and website
  • Nathan Curtis, Design System Features Step by Step
  • Jeff's article Front-end Roles and Responsibilities
  • Jeff on Design System Tiers
  • Chris Coyier, The Widening Responsibility for Front-End Developers


🎨🎟️ Into Design Systems is May 25-28
Get your ticket at
intodesignsystems.com/ontheme

Into Design Systems is back with their annual virtual conference, May 28-30, 2025. Get your ticket now for three days of practical, hands on sessions showing the what, why, and how of design systems. This year, the conference is focused on developer handoff, accessibility, multi brand theming, and governance. You'll get hands on knowledge you can put to use at work immediately, files and resources to take away, and hear from very well known industry speakers. 

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On Theme: Design Systems in DepthBy Elyse Holladay