What are common mistakes to avoid when creating a design system?
Common design system pitfalls include:
Doing too much too soon: Start small—don’t try to define everything upfront.
Poor documentation: Great components need clear usage guidelines to be effective.
Lack of collaboration: Involve both designers and developers early to ensure adoption and usability.
Outdated systems: Keep your design system current as your product evolves, or people will stop using it.
Weak buy-in: Get leadership support and set the expectation that teams use the system.
Overly rigid rules: Allow flexibility when needed—don’t let consistency kill creativity.
Treat your design system as a living tool, not a fixed rulebook. Regular updates, team input, and clarity are key to long-term success.
Similar questions
When should designers use the Liquid Glass Regular vs. Clear variants?
What should a design system include?
What's the difference between a design system / style guide and pattern library?
What are design tokens?
How do I maintain a design system as it grows?
Should I use an existing design system or build my own?
How can designers and developers collaborate through a design system?
How can I get my team to adopt a design system?
What tools can I use to build a design system?
What is atomic design and how does it relate to design systems?
How do I document a design system effectively?
Do small teams need a design system?
How do I incorporate accessibility into my design system?
What’s the difference between style tokens and design tokens?
How do you document interaction patterns in a design system?
What is the role of a design token framework?
How do you handle dark mode in a design system?
Why are spacing tokens important in design systems?
What’s the difference between atomic design and design systems?
How do you evaluate a design system’s effectiveness?