The Situation
At FIS, teams operated in small pods, each working on zero-to-one projects. These pods were made up of Design, Research, Tech, a Project Manager, and a Leadership Representative. However, the lack of a design system was causing delays, slowing down both the design and development processes.
The Task
Creating a versatile system was something I had successfully done before during my time at Likemind. Drawing from that experience, I adapted the approach to focus on product development rather than branding and web design. I understood the need to establish a foundational system that would be both flexible and robust. The challenge was to accomplish all of this within just two weeks.
The Action
I conducted a thorough inventory of all ongoing projects to identify overlaps in components, screen sizes, flows, and other design elements. Drawing on the Atomic Method by Robert Frost, I structured the system accordingly. I created an example file encompassing type scales, grids, spacing standards, buttons, navigation, and more to ensure consistency at the start of every project. Additionally, I developed a design system handbook to guide its usage, expansion, and continuous evolution as our projects grew.
The Result
In January, I presented the new system at the Onward Cup to the entire innovation team. I outlined how it would accelerate development, establish consistency, and reduce design and development time by several weeks, ultimately positioning us for scalable success. The team was thrilled, and we adopted the system, naming it “Foundations.” I subsequently became the go-to expert for all design system inquiries, while continuing to fulfill my responsibilities as an individual contributor across multiple pods. Additionally, I led learning sessions with the design team to improve their efficiency in Figma.
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