Abi Jones examines what consistency means for design systems that promise aligned experiences across surfaces and platforms. She distinguishes internal, external, and real-world consistency in digital and physical interfaces, explores when inconsistency is justified, and offers a framework for trade-offs when deciding for or against consistency.
People
Abi Jones
Methods
Design SystemsA design system combines reusable interface elements with guidance that helps teams apply them consistently. Establish shared styles, components and patterns for recurring user tasks, document their intended use, and provide libraries that designers and developers can maintain together. Use it when multiple teams or products repeatedly solve similar interface problems. Reuse established elements, review updates to shared libraries, and contribute improvements informed by research. A useful system supports consistent decisions and reduces duplicated work while continuing to evolve.