Personal Portofolio

Doing ‘part time job’ to craft and maintain Troben Design System (TBDS) documentation.

In my spare time, I focus on creating comprehensive design system documentation. For future UI/UX designers, keeping them from wandering into the UI design wilderness in every product.

WHAT I DO?

Crafting and sustaining design system documentation

DURATION

Start from September 2023

PROCESS

Research & Design

BACKSTORY

As a UI/UX Designer, staying updated on the latest trends, research, and tools is key.
From the get-go, I've recognized the crucial role of design systems in the UI/UX landscape. Even during my internship at an IT Consultant Company, I always questioning about how larger companies manage their design systems?! - every component, style, and even the tone of their copywriting, all seamlessly consistent across products.
Yet, here we are in my current company, still without a proper design system for our UI/UX designs. So, as the solo UI/UX Designer 😌👍, I've taken it upon myself to build and maintain one. Because, let's be real, who doesn't love a good documentation of the design system? It's like having a trusty guidebook, keeping us on track and making the design process a breeze 😗🫶
With that in mind, while I'm knee-deep in Troben Partner App product,guess what? There's a webinar event on 👋HaloDesigner all about design systems, featuring a speaker from ShopBack. Talk about serendipity!

THE ✨PROCESS✨

Attending this webinar shed light on the fact that crafting a design system can be a side job. You don't need to be designated to a specific role; it's all about ongoing refinement and updates until it evolves into a comprehensive and polished design system.
Furthermore, it's essential to understand the various components within the design system. It's not just about UI kits; it encompasses a plethora of guidelines, patterns, and standards. Once the design system is established, the work doesn't stop there. It requires consistent maintenance and updates, with extensive research to ensure its relevance in the ever-evolving world of design and technology. Effective communication is also key, ensuring that the design system is well-understood and utilized by everyone on the team, including close collaborators like the IT or marketing team.

Here's the progress I've made on this side job. Since it's done in my spare time, the pace may be slower, but it's a valuable learning experience. Plus, having clear documentation and guidance benefits not only new UI/UX designers but also supports the growth of our company.

For the color system, I've adapted the framework from the Material 3 color system. This includes explanations on the use of primary and on-primary, surface and on-surface colors, among others.
Additionally, the documentation features explanations written in casual English with a friendly tone of voice. Given the extensive content, this approach aims to keep readers engaged and prevent boredom or confusion.

WHAT I LEARNED?

Through attending this webinar and diving into crafting a proper design system on my own, here's what I've learned:
Designing a comprehensive design system isn't a one-and-done sprint. It's an iterative process that evolves alongside the product and technology.

I realized that what I initially thought was a 'design system' was more of a UI kit, as it primarily focused on creating UI components.

Design systems encompass a broader scope than I initially realized, including guidelines, components, and extensive communication with other teams.

While working on this 'part time job' of documentation, I discovered a newfound enjoyment in writing! This has sparked my interest in delving deeper into copywriting and UX writing 😗👍