White-label Design System

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital design, delivering consistent and customizable user experiences across diverse clients is a formidable challenge.

As a proactive product designer at our agency, I recognized the need for innovation and efficiency in our design system approach.

This case study delves into my leadership role in conceiving and developing a white label design system utilizing the latest Figma Variables, which revolutionized how we cater to our clients’ unique branding needs.

Our agency specializes in designing and developing products for a wide range of clients. With each client having distinct brand identities and requirements, creating customized user interfaces often led to inefficiencies and inconsistencies.

The challenge was to devise a streamlined design system solution that balanced brand consistency with flexible customization options.

As an advocate for continuous improvement, I proposed the idea of leveraging Figma Variables to create a headless (also known as white-label) design system.

This system would not only facilitate efficient design and development processes but also enhance the value we provide to our clients by ensuring cohesive, adaptable design solutions.

A headless design system is a flexible and scalable framework that serves as a foundation for creating customized design systems for different brands and clients.

The foundation of the system is based on design tokens which are variables that describe design decisions such as colors, typography, spacing, corner radius, and other visual elements.

I initiated the project by convening a cross-functional team consisting of designers, developers, and project managers.

We collectively brainstormed ideas, established project goals, and outlined a comprehensive plan. By aligning our objectives, we set the stage for a collaborative and successful endeavor.

I began by conducting a thorough analysis of the headless design systems

• Spoke to PMs to understand the diverse needs of our clients
• analyzed competitor (other) white labeled design systems to assess industry best practices
• studied real-world examples and best practices,
• identified key components that our white label design system should encompass
• Learned Figma variables

With a clear understanding of the client’s brand, I structured the design system in Figma.

This involved creating a master library of UI components, such as buttons, forms, cards, and navigation elements. Each component was meticulously organized and labeled for easy navigation.

I categorized components, and identified customization touch points. This blueprint laid the foundation for a system that could accommodate diverse branding requirements.

The heart of the project lay in implementing Figma Variables. I led the team in defining variable sets for color schemes, typography styles, spacing, and more. These variables were meticulously integrated into the design system, allowing components to adapt dynamically based on customized inputs.

To empower our clients, I guided the team in developing an intuitive customization guide. This comprehensive resource elucidated the use of Figma Variables and offered step-by-step instructions for adapting the design system to distinct brand identities.

Clear documentation ensured a seamless transition from theory to practical application.

Rigorous testing was conducted across various scenarios to validate the effectiveness of our white label design system. We iterated based on user feedback, ensuring the system’s usability and scalability in different contexts.

The culmination of this effort yielded remarkable results. Our white label design system with Figma Variables not only empowered our designers and developers with newfound efficiency but also enabled our clients to effortlessly adapt the system to their unique branding needs.

The system’s modular structure, coupled with Figma Variables’ dynamic adaptability, facilitated cohesive designs while reducing redundant work.

Leading the creation of a white label design system with Figma Variables was a transformative experience. By combining innovative technology with thoughtful design, we succeeded in streamlining our processes, empowering our clients, and elevating the quality of our work. This project not only showcased the agency’s commitment to pushing boundaries but also demonstrated how proactive leadership and collaboration can lead to remarkable outcomes in the dynamic field of product design.