Design Systems

Kholmatova approaches a design system as a shared language rather than as a component library, and organises the book around defining that language before building anything. The first half covers design principles, the split between functional and perceptual patterns, and the difference between a strict system and a loose one, arguing that the right choice depends on how the organisation works. The second half turns to practice, covering pattern libraries, naming, documentation, and the process for adding or retiring a pattern. Case studies drawn from interviews at Airbnb, Atlassian, Eurostar and TED show the same decisions made differently. Read it early, because most of the hard parts are decisions rather than code.