Why Your Design System Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)

A design system should make everything easier. Faster design, consistent experiences, happier developers. So why do most design systems become graveyards of good intentions? The problem isn't the components – it's the culture.

Most teams build design systems in isolation. Designers craft perfect components that developers find impossible to implement. Or developers build technical solutions that designers won't use. The result is a system that exists in documentation but not in products.

The fix starts with changing who owns the system. It's not a design project or an engineering project – it's a product that needs product management. Treat your design system like you'd treat any user-facing feature. Who are the users? What are their jobs to be done? How will you measure adoption?

Start small with the components that cause the most pain. If designers are constantly recreating buttons, start there. If developers keep building custom modals, standardize those first. Document not just what components exist, but when and why to use them.

Most importantly, make adoption easier than the alternative. If using the design system requires three approvals and a week of waiting, people will build their own solutions. The best design systems remove friction instead of adding it.

A successful design system evolves with the organization. It’s a living product, not a one-time project. That means maintenance, iteration, and above all, real-world feedback from those who use it daily.