Systems Thinking at the Core of My Design Philosophy



Systems Thinking at the Core of My Design Philosophy



Systems Thinking at the Core of My Design Philosophy

Eight years ago, as a Principal Designer at Intuit, I encountered my first truly elegant design system. Its precision, scalability, and impact on both users and teams were eye-opening. It showed me how a well-designed system could be the backbone of exceptional products and the foundation for efficient, scalable processes. That moment sparked a deep passion for systems thinking that has guided my work ever since.


Since then, I’ve built numerous design systems, each one shaped by lessons learned and a drive to improve. My latest, Chassis, powers Solenoyd, a custom ERP solution for the automotive industry. Built using design tokens and Figma variables, Chassis efficiently manages over 1,000 component instances—including size variations, states, colors, and icon options. This system not only transformed complexity into clarity but also provided the flexibility needed for future growth.


Eight years ago, as a Principal Designer at Intuit, I encountered my first truly elegant design system. Its precision, scalability, and transformative impact on both users and teams were eye-opening. I saw how a thoughtfully crafted system could become the backbone of exceptional products and the catalyst for efficient, scalable processes. That moment ignited a lasting passion for systems thinking—a passion that has shaped my career ever since.


Since then, I’ve built numerous design systems, each one shaped by lessons learned and a desire to continually refine and improve. My latest, Chassis, was designed for Solenoyd, a custom ERP solution for the automotive industry. Using design tokens and Figma variables, Chassis efficiently manages over 1,000 component instances—encompassing size variations, states, colors, and icon options. It transformed complexity into clarity while providing the adaptability needed for future growth and innovation.


Eight years ago, as a Principal Designer at Intuit, I encountered my first truly elegant design system. Its precision, scalability, and transformative impact on both users and teams were eye-opening. I saw how a thoughtfully crafted system could become the backbone of exceptional products and the catalyst for efficient, scalable processes. That moment ignited a lasting passion for systems thinking—a passion that has shaped my career ever since.


Since then, I’ve built numerous design systems, each one shaped by lessons learned and a desire to continually refine and improve. My latest, Chassis, was designed for Solenoyd, a custom ERP solution for the automotive industry. Using design tokens and Figma variables, Chassis efficiently manages over 1,000 component instances—encompassing size variations, states, colors, and icon options. It transformed complexity into clarity while providing the adaptability needed for future growth and innovation.


"A design system isn't just a tool—it's a shared language that brings teams together, enabling us to solve problems with clarity and purpose."

Highlights of My Work on Design Systems


Highlights of My Work on Design Systems

As a senior-level product designer, my focus has always been on creating systems that balance precision, usability, and scalability. Chassis is a culmination of these efforts, and here are three key areas where it stands out:


1. Simplifying Complexity with Scalable Structures

2. Accessibility as a Foundation, Not a Feature

3. Driving Efficiency Through Design Tokens and Documentation


1. Simplifying Complexity with Scalable Structures

1. Simplifying Complexity with Scalable Structures

1. Simplifying Complexity with Scalable Structures

What I Did:

Implemented a robust design token system in Figma, covering color palettes, typography scales, and elevation levels, all mapped to clear documentation.


Impact:

Reduced the time spent on updates by 30% while improving alignment across design and development teams.


Key Skill Demonstrated:

Building systems that are both technically precise and intuitively usable for designers and developers alike.


2. Streamlining Collaboration with Smart Component Systems

2. Streamlining Collaboration with Smart Component Systems

1. Simplifying Complexity with Scalable Structures

What I Did:

Designed an extensive Figma component library that consolidated size variations, states, and icon options into highly flexible components. By creating structured systems with built-in adaptability, I reduced the overall number of components while maintaining maximum scalability and ease of use.


Impact:

This approach simplified updates and ensured that changes seamlessly cascaded across designs, saving time and minimizing errors. A single component could handle various use cases effortlessly, empowering teams to work faster and with greater confidence.


Why It Matters:

The result was a system that supported both the immediate needs of cross-functional teams and the long-term evolution of the product, enabling collaboration without unnecessary complexity.


Key Skill Demonstrated:

Crafting efficient, scalable systems that balance simplicity for the end user with depth for teams managing ongoing development.


What I Did: Implemented a robust design token system in Figma, covering color palettes, typography scales, and elevation levels, all mapped to clear documentation.

  • Impact: Reduced the time spent on updates by 30% while improving alignment across design and development teams.

  • Key Skill Demonstrated: Building systems that are both technically precise and intuitively usable for designers and developers alike.

3. Driving Efficiency Through Design Tokens and Documentation

3. Driving Efficiency Through Design Tokens and Documentation

3. Driving Efficiency Through Design Tokens and Documentation

What I Did:

Implemented a robust design token system in Figma, covering color palettes, typography scales, and elevation levels, all mapped to clear documentation.


Impact:

Reduced the time spent on updates by 30% while improving alignment across design and development teams.


Key Skill Demonstrated:

Building systems that are both technically precise and intuitively usable for designers and developers alike.

Solenoyd

Chassis

Chassis

Chassis

Chassis

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