A design system is more than a collection of components—it's a framework of intended behaviours that ensures consistency, scalability, and efficiency across products. To build a successful design system, especially for multiple products, it’s essential to create a structure that supports shared elements while allowing flexibility for product-specific customisation. Here’s how you can approach this process step by step.

Step 1: Define the Need for a Design System

When an organisation scales, it often introduces new products with unique user needs. Without a cohesive design strategy, these additions can result in inconsistencies and inefficiencies, such as redundant code and misaligned styles. A design system addresses these issues by creating a shared language for designers and developers, reducing miscommunication, and fostering consistency.

Step 2: Establish Design Principles

Begin by defining guiding principles that reflect the system's purpose and goals. These principles will serve as the foundation for every decision made during the design process, ensuring alignment across teams and products.

Step 3: Conduct Research and Analyse Components

Mapping out core design elements is a critical step. Identify components that can be shared across products and those that require customisation. This analysis highlights the convergence points (common elements like buttons and input fields) and divergence points (unique elements like calendars or product-specific workflows).

Step 4: Build Foundational Styles

Create a styling library that includes colours, typography, spacing, and other visual design elements. These foundational styles should be generic enough to apply across multiple products but flexible enough to allow brand-specific adaptations.

Step 5: Develop a Reusable Component Library


Using the foundational styles, design atomic components like buttons, links, and input fields. These are the building blocks for more complex components, which combine atomic elements to create tailored interfaces. Documentation for each component should include usage guidelines, states, and customisation options to ensure clarity and alignment between designers and developers.

Step 6: Tokenise Styles for Scalability

Tokenisation involves converting styles like colours and spacing into variables, making it easier to apply changes across all products. For example, a single token for a primary button color can be updated globally without manually editing each product’s code.

Step 7: Localise Libraries for Product-Specific Needs

While shared components promote consistency, some products may require unique solutions. Build local libraries for these products, starting with those that will have the biggest immediate impact. This approach ensures that the design system remains adaptable and relevant to each product’s needs.

Step 8: Document the System Thoroughly

Documentation is key to a successful design system. Include guidelines on installation, usage, accessibility, and writing standards. For brand-specific products, document tone, voice, and component customisations to ensure cohesive experiences across all touch-points.

Step 9: Maintain and Iterate

A design system is never truly complete. Build flexibility into the process by regularly logging and documenting changes. Tokenisation simplifies updates, allowing changes to propagate seamlessly across products without requiring manual adjustments.

The Importance of a Multi-Product Approach

Creating a design system for multiple products is inherently complex, but the benefits are worth the effort. A multi-product design system ensures consistency where it matters while allowing for the unique needs of each product. By fostering collaboration and reducing inefficiencies, it enables teams to focus on solving user problems and delivering exceptional experiences.With a thoughtful process and a clear framework, you can build a system that not only supports your current products but also scales effortlessly to meet future demands.