What is atomic design and how does it relate to design systems?
Atomic design is a method by Brad Frost that structures interfaces from the ground up:
Atoms: Basic elements like buttons, labels, inputs
Molecules: Combinations of atoms (e.g., a form field)
Organisms: Groups of molecules forming UI sections (e.g., a header)
Templates/Pages: Larger layouts built from these blocks
It relates closely to design systems by promoting reusable components at different scales. Many design systems follow this approach, helping teams build UIs that are modular, consistent, and easy to maintain. A change to an “atom” (like a color or button style) can cascade through the system effortlessly.
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?
How do I document a design system effectively?
What are common mistakes to avoid when creating a design system?
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?