During my internship with SMS Assist, I suggested and completed an audit of their UX Team’s current design system.

Before the outset of this project, it became evident that there was a dissatisfaction among SMS Assist’s design team with the current component and pattern libraries, as well as the software currently used to manage those libraries. Additionally, there was a desire to use different design software altogether- to transition from Sketch and InVision to Figma. This audit was conducted to determine what specifically might be done to ameliorate this dissatisfaction for the design team, how those enhancements could be executed, and to determine what value those enhancements might have.

This is a link to my full report >

UX Principles and Considerations:

User-Centered Approach: This project embodies a user-centered design approach by addressing the design team's dissatisfaction, enhancing usability, and striving to meet digital accessibility standards. Putting the needs of the users at the forefront is a fundamental UX principle.

Accessibility: The project's emphasis on accessibility aligns with the principle of inclusivity, ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can access and interact with the design system and its components.

Consistency and Guidelines: The proposed documentation, guidelines, and design system components aim to establish consistency in design and user experience, aligning with the principle of providing users with familiar patterns and behaviors.

Collaboration: Figma's cloud-based collaboration features foster real-time teamwork and align with the principle of involving cross-functional stakeholders throughout the design process for more holistic outcomes.

Applicability to Other UX Design Systems:

Transferable Insights: The lessons learned from this project can be applied to other design systems facing similar challenges. The emphasis on reference documentation, clear guidelines, and comprehensive patterns has universal relevance.

Flexibility: The transition from one design system management software to another highlights the adaptability of UX principles to changing technological landscapes. Design teams can learn from this experience when considering similar software shifts.

Scalability: The need for enhanced documentation and pattern libraries, as identified in this project, is often encountered as design teams scale. The project's findings can guide other organizations facing growth-related challenges.

Industry Relevance: As the field of user experience design evolves, projects like this demonstrate how staying attuned to the needs of design teams, users, and technological advancements can positively impact a company's UX maturity.

Incorporating these UX principles and recognizing the broad applicability of the project's insights can empower other design teams to create more effective and user-friendly design systems, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in the UX design process.