Shows
The Product Shipping ForecastHow we built zeroheight’s design system adoption featureRosie and Rob get together to do a mini retro on zeroheight’s design system adoption feature - which they both worked on. They cover how it felt getting to dive into a new problem space, how the team used learnings from previous features and the challenges of building a command line integration (CLI) tool.2025-07-1441 min
Design Systems WTFCan you actually measure the ROI of a component?Selling the value of your design system to folks who don't necessarily understand it is a difficult and thankless task. But are we trying to sell in the right things? Is it possible to put the value of our design system against the bottom line, and how far down the stack can we go? Can we actually put a dollar sign against a single component?2025-06-0324 minDesign Systems WTFShould designers know how to code?The age old question – should designers know how to code? Or more specifically, how much should designer know when it comes to code? Considering it's the medium that we're designing for, it's still surprising how much this topic splits opinion. Luke and special guest Rob Whitfield will dive into the pros and cons, and give some practical advice if you did want to delve into the witchcraft that engineers do.2025-05-2029 minDesign Systems WTFAre accessibility guidelines enough to be inclusive?Making your design system as inclusive as possible is something that I think we all agree on. However, for most systems teams, this means creating some accessibility guidelines and then ticking it off the list. Is this enough? Is there more we can be doing?2025-05-0625 minDesign Systems WTFAre design systems a dead end?Inspired by Luke's article on the death of design systems, Michelle and Luke dive into whether design systems have a future... are we at a natural point of evolution or are design systems going to go the way of the dinosaurs?2025-04-2231 minDesign Systems WTFHow big is too big for a design system?How big is too big? Is there a point where your design system just becomes unwieldy? Luke and Michelle dive into this question from a previous episode, and try and figure out how you keep your design system to a manageable size. Or is that just a nice problem to have, and we should embracing our systems to grow to the size they need to be?2025-04-0827 minDesign Systems WTFWhen is OK to snowflake?Detach instance is a concept that has stuck fear into the hearts of design systems folks since the beginning. However, there are definitely instances where it’s totally ok to snowflake components! How should you deal with snowflakes in your system? How does this play into your overall view on flexibility, and can you actually use snowflakes as a way to determine what you should be working on?2025-03-2525 minDesign Systems WTFHow much is too much documentation?Sometimes we may feel the urge to include everything in our documentation, to the point where it rivals Lord of the Rings for length and density. However, we may be doing ourselves a disservice! How much is too much documentation? How much is not enough documentation? Do we even need documentation at all? join us for the last Design Systems WTF of the year!2025-02-1727 minDesign Systems WTFWhere should design systems sit in your org?Design systems should sit in the design team. Design systems should sit in the designops team. Design systems should sit in their own team. There are so many different options that are presented as the ‘truth’ when it comes to design systems and org design. Michelle and Luke are going to wade through the options, weigh up their merits and probably tear the entire thing down to the ground by the end of the half hour.2025-02-0329 minDesign Systems WTFShould we get rid of infinite scroll?Infinite scroll was designed to enhance the UX for browsing search results, but now it's often used to keep users endlessly engaged on social media. As concerns grow about its impact on mental health, especially among young people, it's time to reconsider its place in design systems. What responsibilities do we have as creators when our components contribute to these issues? In this episode, we’ll examine the ethical considerations of infinite scroll and other components, exploring how we can design more responsibly and promote healthier user experiences.2025-01-2027 minDesign Systems WTFDo design systems make teams go faster?Design systems are often hailed as the ultimate productivity boosters for devs and designers alike, but do they really deliver on that promise? We’ll explore whether design systems genuinely make teams more efficient or if they just add another layer of complexity. Tune in for a reality check on the true impact of design systems on team performance!2025-01-0629 minDesign Systems WTFWhy isn’t contribution the answer?Contribution often seems like the perfect solution for scaling design systems, but is it really? We'll weigh the tough realities of managing contributions and why a federated system might not suit everyone. We'll explore the hurdles of contribution and how to decide if it's the right path for your team.2024-12-1828 minDesign Systems WTFLive from Converge 2025: When should we be using AI?Luke and Michelle come to you direct from Converge to talk about AI (again). Is there a place for AI in our design systems? 2024-12-0626 minDesign Systems WTFWhy aren’t people contributing to the design system?If you're struggling to get contributions to your design system, you might think it’s a governance issue. But it might not be the real issue. In this episode, we'll consider why people aren't contributing and examine factors beyond governance that might be preventing contributions. We’ll discuss the motivations and barriers that impact participation and how to foster a thriving contributor community.2024-10-3130 minDesign Systems WTFWhere can AI actually help with design systems?We're cutting through the AI hype and getting to the good stuff—practical ways AI can supercharge your design system. From streamlining workflows to generating documentation, we'll explore real-world applications of AI that can make your life easier. Plus, we’ll guide you through creating a custom GPT to assist with your design system needs. Are you leveraging AI to its full potential, or are you stuck in the buzzword bubble? Join us for insights and strategies to make AI work for you!2024-10-2427 minDesign Systems WTFLive from Hatch: Do we need to stop making components?In this episode, we’re challenging the status quo of design systems by questioning the necessity of components. Are we too focused on building and maintaining a library of components when we should be thinking bigger? What if our obsession with components is actually holding back innovation? Join us as we explore whether it’s time to shift our attention away from components and consider new ways to build flexibility, scalability, and creativity into our design systems.2024-10-1841 minDesign Systems WTFWhy do we need to care more about patterns?In this episode, we’re focusing on patterns, the often-overlooked pillar of your design system. Why should we focus on patterns more than components? Are your components really as reusable as you think, or are they just static building blocks without a solid pattern to guide them? 2024-09-0526 minDesign Systems WTFHow should we version design systems?In this episode, we explore the enigma that is design system versioning. How do we make sense of versioning? How do you sync versions between code, design, and documentation? Maybe it’s easier to ignore versioning, but at what cost? 2024-08-1526 minDesign Systems WTFHas AI made everyone a designer? A spicy conversation with Pablo StanleyAI tools are transforming the landscape, making it easier than ever to create and design. Is this making everyone a designer? Will design system makers have to herd even more cats? We’ll be joined by special guest Pablo Stanley, the brilliant co-founder of two AI-based design tools, Musho and Lummi. We’ll unpack the potential of AI-based design tools and some risks. 2024-08-0129 minDesign Systems WTFWTF happened at Config?In this episode, we’re diving into the buzzworthy announcements and new feature releases that have the design community talking. We’ll share our opinions and insights on how these changes will impact design systems and workflows. Whether you missed the event or want a fresh perspective, tune in to catch up on all the highlights and WTF moments from Config!2024-07-1829 minDesign Systems WTFHow do you prove the value of design systems?We tackle the fundamental question: “How do you prove the value of design systems?” What kind of metrics work? Why does the math seem so fuzzy? Are there any valid measurements? Based on our experiences and what we’ve seen with other teams, we share our thoughts and hot takes when it comes to advocating and validating your design system efforts.2024-07-0428 min
Code & Pixels18: Michelle Chin - Design OpsWe're joined by Michelle Chin, who shares her experience as a Design Advocate at Zeroheight.Episode Links:Design Ops Summit: https://rosenfeldmedia.com/designopssummit2022/Design Ops Assembly Slack: https://www.designopsassembly.com/zeroheight: https://zeroheight.com/Global Pattern Library: globalpatterns.orgCoaching - From the Margins: fromthemargins.techMichelle's Socials:Website: fromthemargins.techLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletchin/Twitter: https://x.com/soysaucechin2024-07-0226 minDesign Systems WTFThey downsized the design system team; how do we survive?We navigate the challenges and uncertainties that arise when a design system team undergoes downsizing or restructuring. How do the design system team and teams who use the design system cope in this situation? We explore strategies for resilience, collaboration, and innovation in the face of adversity and discover how to thrive amidst organizational changes.2024-06-2125 minDesign Systems WTFWhat’s keeping design systems people up at night?In this episode, we answer some interesting design system questions from the Internet. With Luke away, Dave, our Developer Advocate, will joins Michelle. Sharing insights from a developer and designer perspective, respectively. Will Dave and Michelle see eye to eye or will we agree to disagree?2024-06-0533 minDesign Systems WTFShould Figma be the source of truth?Figma is currently dominating the design landscape and with good reason. They’ve taken what we’ve done with product and UX design and allowed us to do so much more than we used to be able to. With the release and continued improvement of Dev Mode, they’re hoovering up more use cases and raising the question: are we happy with a design tool being the source of truth for all product teams?2024-05-2327 minDesign Systems WTFIs using a pre-built frontend library realistic?Today we ask, “Is using a pre-built frontend library realistic?” We look into the pros and cons of leveraging frontend libraries such as MUI, Tailwind, or Ant Design for your design system. Are these libraries a shortcut to success, or do they come with hidden complexities and limitations? Tune in as we dissect the practicality, scalability, and long-term implications of adopting these pre-built solutions for your product.2024-05-1726 minDesign Systems WTFFuture-proofing your design systemDesign systems should reflect what’s currently in your product, but it’s tempting to future-proof them. After all, getting the system up and running was a lot of work, so what’s the harm in adding a few new things? Future us will thank our past selves, right?2024-04-2325 minDesign Systems WTFHow do we get past the MVP state?We examine that critical phase in the life of a design system: moving beyond the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Launching an MVP is just the beginning, but what comes next? Michelle and Luke discuss strategies for advocating for more resources, ensuring your work is recognized and adequately resourced, and not just seen as a “free” addition from your team. Drawing from our own experiences and those of other teams, we share practical advice on selling your design system’s ongoing value to stakeholders. 2024-04-1727 minCode & Pixels15: Donnie D'Amato - What's a ComponentWe're joined by Donnie D'Amato, who shares his experience as a founder & Chief Architect at Design Systems House.Episode Links:Knapsack: https://www.knapsack.cloud/Zeroheight: https://zeroheight.com/Figma: https://www.figma.com/files/recents-and-sharing?fuid=553361873932381617Cypress: https://www.cypress.io/Guidepup: https://www.guidepup.dev/ADP List: https://adplist.org/The End (blog post): https://blog.damato.design/posts/the-end/Donnie's Socials:Website: https://donnie.damato.design/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fauxserious/Twitter: https://twitter.com/donniedamatoGithub: https://github.com/ddamato2024-04-1634 minDesign Systems WTFBuilding delight into your design systemWe tackle a question that often gets overlooked in the world of design systems: Is there room for fun and delight? Sure, components are the workhorses of design systems, known for their functionality and consistency, but does that mean they have to be dull? We’ll explore the possibilities of infusing a bit of charm and personality into your design system. Listen in as we discuss examples of some of the more fun design systems in action, the challenges of maintaining usability while injecting creativity, and how to strike the right balance.2024-03-2028 minDesign Systems WTFBuilding a Global Design SystemWe dive into the ambitious idea proposed by Brad Frost: creating a global design system for everyone to use. Imagine a world where companies don’t reinvent the wheel with every component they create, but instead, contribute to and utilize a shared set of resources. We tackle the big questions: Where do we start in building such a universal system? How do we address hesitations and resistance in the community? What are the potential risks and unseen challenges? 2024-03-0626 minDesign Systems WTFOur design system ValentinesThis special episode is our love letter to the unsung heroes of the design system world. Join us as we shine a spotlight on some incredible individuals in the field who might not be on your radar yet, but definitely should be. We'll share our personal favorites, diving into the work they're doing and where you can find their contributions. Get ready to fall in love with these design system Valentines.2024-02-2121 minDesign Systems WTFFlexibility in Design SystemsIn this episode, we tackle the common concern—are you being too prescriptive with your design system? We’ll discuss the fine line between guidance and rigidity, exploring how much prescription is too much. We’ll share the pitfalls of being overly prescriptive and the chaos that can ensue from excessive flexibility.2024-02-0630 minDesign Systems WTFDesign System ContributionsNavigating design system contributions – how do you tell someone their component is terrible?We address many design system creators' challenges: Navigating design system contributions and giving constructive feedback. How do you effectively communicate that a contributed component may not meet the standards or expectations (i.e., they’re just plain terrible)? We discuss ways to encourage improvement without demoralizing contributors. Join us as we explore best practices, real-life stories, and strategies for fostering collaboration and quality within your design system.2024-01-1728 minDesign Systems WTFDesign Systems ContractingIn this episode, we tackle the question that many ponder: Can you create a successful design system through contracted work? We explore the dynamics of working with external design teams, freelancers, or agencies to build a cohesive design system. Is it a recipe for success, or does it present unique challenges that could impact the system’s effectiveness? We uncover the pros and cons of this approach and share insights on navigating the path to a thriving design system.2024-01-1025 min
UX IRLWorking in-house or agencyIs the grass greener on the other side? Today, we talk about our experiences working at agencies and on in-house teams as designers. We cover what we liked and definitely didn’t like and the benefits of working in each setup. What’s been your experience? Talk to us on the zeroheight Slack community! (zeroheight.com/slack), comment below or reply on Twitter @uxinreallife or Instagram @ux.inreallife.2023-12-2843 minDesign Systems WTFDesign Systems Help DeskWe have a special edition of Design Systems WTF, this time Luke will be joined by the amazing Amy Hupe! They’ll be chatting about design systems and answering your questions. Get ready for a unique and interactive experience in this special “DSWTF Help Desk” episode. We’re opening the floor to you, our listeners! Have a burning question about design systems or anything related? Ask us, and we’ll tackle your toughest inquiries with our highly opinionated thoughts. Whether you seek career advice, design tips, or want to settle a design systems debate, we’re here to help. Tune...2023-12-2731 minDesign Systems WTFDesign Systems CareersToday's question: Is my career doomed if I focus on design systems?We dive deep into the world of design system careers. Is focusing on design systems a career move that can make or break your professional journey? Join us as we explore the power and potential of design systems and discuss how they can shape your career in design. Is it a stepping stone to success or a potential roadblock? Tune in to discover how design systems can be your secret weapon or a career-defining challenge.2023-12-2027 minDesign Systems WTFDesign Systems and AccessibilityToday's question: How accessible can a design system really make a product?We explore the potential of design systems to enhance accessibility and discuss the challenges involved in achieving this goal. Are design systems the golden ticket to a more inclusive digital world?2023-12-0526 min
UX IRLUX Y'all RecapUX Y’all is one of our favorite conferences! We discuss our favorite talks and our experience speaking at and volunteering with them. We hope you consider attending a future UX Y’all conference and maybe we’ll see you there! As always, keep in touch with us on the zeroheight Slack community! (zeroheight.com/slack), comment below or reply on Twitter @uxinreallife or Instagram @ux.inreallife.2023-11-1635 minDesign Systems WTFShould I use tokens today?Today's question: Should I use tokens today?DESIGN TOKENS. The saviour of our design systems, or so it seems from the amount that people hold them up as the shining light. But what’s the deal with design tokens — when do they make sense for your company? What is going to happen to them in the future? And who do you listen to when it comes to doing them correctly?2023-11-0225 minDesign Systems WTFAI and Design SystemsToday's question: Will AI change design systems?We genuinely can’t believe it’s taken us three episodes to mention AI… It’s obviously a hot topic at the moment, as folks are figuring out how they can use things like GPT or Dall-e to automate or generate things within their design systems, or heck, if they even should use AI in the first place because of the ethical, legal and moral risks!2023-10-2027 minDesign Systems WTFRewarding ContributionToday's question: How do you reward someone for the contributions they make?From the big questions straight into the weeds! This has been a favourite question in the last few years of figuring out how to rightly reward folks for contributing, but also how to motivate them to contribute in the first place. Are shout-outs enough? Do we need to tie rewards to the wider company rewards? Should motivation to contribute be intrinsic or extrinsic? Should we be encouraging contributions at all?Resources: Amy Hupe - You design system contribution model is doomed to...2023-10-1726 minDesign Systems WTFGetting buy-in for your design systemToday's question: How do you make the rest of your org care about your design system?With the current climate, budgets are being slashed left, right and center. Because of this design systems are often at the top of the list for what to put on the chopping block. So how do we make the rest of the organization care about design systems? How do we show how important it is, and how do we talk about it in the language that non-design systems folks care about? Do we need to change that when we’re talking to...2023-09-2821 min