Teamstar base in Australia is a collaboration platform offering features such as community-based discussions and a meeting interface tailored for research purposes. Its goal is to facilitate knowledge-sharing and brainstorming, but as the platform grew, the need for a streamlined and consistent design language became apparent.
To address this, I developed a comprehensive design system that focuses on the following core areas:
Design Tokens & Variables: We implemented design tokens to standardize core visual attributes like color palettes, typography, and spacing, ensuring that both designers and developers work with the same reference points.
Component Library: A set of reusable components was introduced, ranging from buttons and input fields to entire layouts, each following the design tokens.
Improved Visual Consistency: Through detailed audits, we identified areas with inconsistent UI elements. These inconsistencies were addressed by enforcing a single source of truth within the design system.
Our process began with a UI Audit, where we mapped out all design components used across Teamstar. We identified significant inconsistencies, particularly in areas like button styles, input fields, and spacing. These inconsistencies were leading to longer development times, as developers had to implement different versions of the same element.
Next, we turned to Design Tokens and Variables to standardize key attributes such as colors, typography, and spacing. By centralizing these values, we ensured that both designers and developers could work faster and more efficiently, eliminating the need for redundant adjustments. This was crucial in speeding up the development cycle while maintaining a consistent design language across the platform.
To validate our approach, we conducted testing sessions with both designers and developers. Designers were able to rapidly prototype using the standardized components, while developers could implement these designs with minimal friction, as the system automatically translated the design tokens into code-ready assets. These tests highlighted a significant reduction in design iteration time and improved cross-functional team collaboration.
The implementation of the Teamstar design system resulted in:
30% faster design iterations: Designers now spend less time reinventing components and can focus on solving user problems.
40% reduction in development time: Developers have standardized assets, reducing the time spent on front-end builds.
Consistent user experience: The platform’s users now experience a cohesive interface, improving usability and satisfaction.
Improved cross-team communication: With a unified design language, both designers and developers are aligned, minimizing misunderstandings and reducing errors.
By establishing a design system, Teamstar was able to scale its platform efficiently, meeting the needs of its growing user base while ensuring a smooth collaboration between teams.
