Key Lessons from Building a Design Library

The journey of creating a design library in software development blends the artistry of design with the precision of engineering. It’s a path marked by continuous learning, adaptation, and the occasional misstep. Our endeavour to evolve certain aspects of our design library from Material UI to alternative solutions has been a voyage of discovery. In this article, we aim to share the pivotal mistakes we encountered and the invaluable lessons we gleaned, offering guidance for those embarking on similar design library projects.

1. Underestimating the Dependency on Material UI

Our initial journey was deeply rooted in Material UI. When we began transitioning some components to other libraries, we faced more than just technical challenges; it involved a fundamental reevaluation of our design patterns and interaction models. This dependency on Material UI was so ingrained that each modification required meticulous planning to avoid disruptions in our existing ecosystem.

2. Neglecting Core Component Integrity

The core components are basic building blocks of a component library e.g Typography, Button, Spacing etc. In our early stages, we underestimated the importance of core component integrity. These components are the foundation of the user experience, transcending mere code. Their functionality, scalability, and adaptability are paramount. A more focused effort on refining these core components from the start would have greatly enhanced efficiency and reduced resource expenditure.

3. Inappropriate Use of Margins in Components

Initially, we didn’t fully grasp the impact of margins on design consistency. Our approach to margins lacked a standardized methodology, resulting in unpredictable component spacing and layout inconsistencies. This experience underscored the importance of a disciplined and context-aware approach to spacing within our components.

4. Over-Customizing Core Components for Specific Needs

Early on, we often resorted to tailoring core components for specific requirements. While this seemed expedient, it led to a decrease in reusability and increased maintenance complexity. We learned that safeguarding the integrity of core components and employing customization through variants or context-specific extensions is a more sustainable strategy.

5. Restrictive Prop Passing to Components

Initially, we allowed extensive flexibility in passing props to components, which inadvertently led to variations that strayed from our design intent. We came to realize the necessity of a balanced approach: allowing the necessary flexibility in prop passing while enforcing constraints to preserve design integrity and ensure uniformity.

<Button {…props} variant="navigation" size="small"/>
// This pattern ensures flexibility while maintaining core design principles.

6. Inadequate Documentation and Communication

We initially undervalued the role of thorough documentation and effective communication. Comprehensive documentation goes beyond mere usage instructions; it encompasses the philosophy behind the design, the intended use cases, and the boundaries of the components. Furthermore, open channels for feedback and prompt issue resolution are essential for a collaborative development environment.

7. Overlooking the Importance of a Spacing Utility

In the beginning, we overlooked the significance of a dedicated spacing utility. This oversight led to inconsistent design implementations and ad-hoc spacing solutions. Developing a versatile and standardized spacing utility, similar to MUI’s Box component, became a pivotal element in our design system, streamlining efficiency and ensuring consistency across various applications.

<Box sm={{ padding: 4 }} md={{ padding: 8 }} padding="12" />
// This method streamlines design consistency
// and saves time across different screen sizes.

Conclusion:

The development of a design library is an evolving process, rich in learning and opportunities for refinement. The mistakes we encountered were not merely obstacles but valuable lessons that propelled us toward a more sophisticated and effective design library. By sharing our journey, we hope to ease the path for other teams in their design library development, reducing the learning curve and fostering success through shared knowledge.