Without a design system, every new feature is a negotiation. With one, teams ship faster and with greater consistency.
Start with tokens, not components
Design tokens — colours, spacing, typography scales — are the foundation. Get these right before building components.
Components are contracts
A button isn’t just a visual element; it’s a contract between design and engineering. Document props, variants, and states explicitly.
Governance matters
A design system without adoption is just a side project. Assign ownership, run office hours, and celebrate teams who use it well.