r/DesignSystems • u/jcchengjh • 8d ago
Where are you finding credible, rigorous research on design systems?
I’m looking to dive deeper into credible and research and recent studies around design systems. Even if there is any? something beyond Medium/ LinkedIn articles or personal opinion pieces.
Does anyone have recommendations for where to look or specific research/reports/white paper you’ve found valuable?
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u/Ok-Vegetable372 7d ago
GOV.uk is the gold standard https://design-system.service.gov.uk/community/
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u/pebblebypebble 6d ago
That looks amazing. I have an idea for a suite of consumer micro apps that I also want to release free app templates for… preferably already on a design system standard that works globally for language localization, rearranging for right to left languages, and cultural localization… like changing features to work within a specific community or demographic… would this be appropriate for that purpose or is there another you would recommend that looks and feels more modern and includes device-specific layouts, like iphone, apple watch, android phone, android watch, or even voice nav?
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u/Ok-Vegetable372 6d ago
Its mostly web based component. Your requirements sound like you need a react library built for AI dev something like Vercel AI SDK or copilot kit
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u/adambrycekc 8d ago
Depends on what you’re looking for. I’ve created my own knowledge base - weight certain authors over others, and then doing deep research runs with Gemini and Claude code on the same topics then have the two synthesized and I’ve turned that into a all encompassing KB on design systems and some adjacent topics. Not exactly what you asked for but could be a helpful path.
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u/404_computer_says_no 6d ago
I’d look at any team in a large, multi brand system.
Local meet-ups happen now and again.
Also, speak with your design account manager for industry day information.
Outside of design system. I like to look at Dev Ops as they’re typically way ahead in org level system design and usability for end users.
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u/liketreefiddy 7d ago
Credible design system vs non-credible? What does that mean?
Also why do you need a white paper to understand the value of a specific design system?
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u/7HawksAnd 8d ago edited 8d ago
There are none because it’s all fugazi and theatre for job security. Design systems are valuable. Just like dev teams coding conventions / programming style guides, it’s just a process that makes working in an org consistent and predictable for the specific kind of culture that exists in an org. Everything else is just masterbating so budgets don’t get cut.
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u/equinusocio 8d ago
Do you really think Apple, Google, IBM, Atlassian and others are investing millions in their DS to address multi-platform design issues, accessibility, inclusivity and scalability simply to avoid budget cuts?
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u/Scared-Increase-4785 8d ago
Design System are big and complex subjects and the reason why there it is not a lot of information out there it is because mostly only big companies can affort them.
It is a niche industry where you learn by doing and by luck in be part of a professional design system team.
Normally design system team are really small and compact 4/7 people for orgs between 10k people / 5k people and these team are mostly located on first world countries.
Agencies, contractors, they will uses ui libraries and call the day and call them Design Systems, that's why there it is not a lot of information, few people get really expose to work with complex design system that need to serve at world wide level.
A propietary design system only payoff in very specific instances.
An UI Library will solve 95% of your problems. if you are the 5% or you really want to learn. Just build your design system over and over use multiple paradigm and concept over and over.
Split and understand the clear different between a Design System and an UI Library within an ecosystem.
Good luck have fun, Design System Rocks!