Component library or Design system differences
design system • component library
@today
The terms 'Component Library' and 'Design Systems' are used interchangeably but have very different aims. This article is my view on the differences between a component library and a design system.
A Component library
Typically a component library makes decisions for only one group or discipline with a narrow purpose for that group — for example, improving code efficiency, developer experience or Figma UI kits.
A code example could be increasing the number of code dependencies to reduce maintenance (like stand-alone buttons used within other components like pagination, address search or tabs)
A Design system
"Design systems are culture change disguised as a UI kit" @laurenloprete @ Figma schema 2022
A design system is an operating framework and set of standards for an organisation to deliver repeatable decisions across the entire product lifecycle for all digital employees (Product/Design/Dev).
Each decision is a principled marker specific to the company's ways of working and Products at that point in time.
A design system typically aims to improve product UI cohesion, colleagues' experiences and education, upskilling of the organisation and improvements in delivery efficiency.
They empower employees to channel more effort into solving user problems. Systems constraints enable more consistent outcomes and more predictable cadences of delivery.