Experiencing rapid team growth, we recognize the importance of efficiently managing Figma Libraries. These libraries form the core of the daily operations for our design team, which includes 15+ Product Designers. The team's extensive weekly use of thousands of components underscores the need for meticulous organization and maintenance of these libraries.
🚀 Challenge
The primary challenge was keeping the Figma Libraries clean, well-organized, and accessible. Initially, all components were housed in a single file, leading to accidental deletions, overrides, and misalignments. Additionally, the team grappled with decisions on component usage and sharing and managing components not intended for development.
🔑 Solution
Our strategy involved a bifurcated approach:
1. Splitting Components into Base and Pattern:
- Base Components: Generic components developed and used in production, including UI kit elements and workflow-enhancing tools 🧰.
- Pattern Components: Figma-specific templates and organisms designed to optimize Product Designers' workflows. Design teams individually manage these components 🛠️.
2. Structured File Organization:
Our Figma Design System files were reorganized into three categories:
- Foundations 🎨
- Base Components 📂
- Pattern Components 🗄️
🏆 Outcome
This revamped structure led to significant enhancements in managing and utilizing Figma Libraries, evidenced by:
- Clearer component ownership and responsibility 🛂.
- Improved efficiency in locating and using components 🔍.
- Facilitation of modular component creation, reducing design and technical debts 💡.
- Continuous innovation and updates in the Playground file 🎨.
📚 Key Learnings
Key insights from this project include:
- Clear Guidelines and Ownership: Establishing explicit permissions and ownership from the outset is essential, particularly for teams expecting growth 📋.
- Library, Goal: Keeping separate libraries for distinct objectives helps maintain workflow efficiency and clarity 🎯.
- Inclusive Collaboration: Engaging all relevant teams in synchronization efforts ensures smooth updates and uniformity 🤝.
- Strategic Deprecation of Components: A thoughtful approach to component deprecation, based on usage frequency, helps maintain design integrity and user trust 🔄.