The concept of a ‘design system’ might be new to you, but it’s pivotal to today's digital platforms by ensuring consistent and engaging user experiences. At Intruder, we adopted our own design system earlier this year and embarked on a transformative journey. Let's dive into the reasons why, the challenges we encountered on the way, and how it’ll enhance the experience for our team and customers alike. ‍

Understanding the design system paradigm

What exactly is a design system? Nielsen Norman Group – world leaders in research-based user experience – define it as “a set of standards to manage design at scale by reducing redundancy while creating a shared language and visual consistency across different pages and channels”. The advantages? Here's a breakdown:

• Enables designers to streamline creativity
• Assures uniformity across interfaces
• Facilitates a more efficient development transition
• Accelerates onboarding for new team members

Despite these clear benefits, implementing a design system requires careful consideration and comprehensive planning.

Bits: Intruder's tailored solution

Our design system had to resonate with our brand story and identity. Hence Bits, inspired by our retro gaming-themed logo.

Within Bits, every component adheres to a distinct structure, but our primary focus remains on usability, infusing Bits character in elements like our logo and specific interface indicators.

Adopting insights from Brad Frost's Atomic Design, our approach prioritizes modular, versatile design components like Lego blocks, which makes it more flexible and efficient.  ‍

Making the move to Bits

We started the transition to Bits in January 2023 and it’s an ongoing project. Long-time users might see subtle design improvements, while newcomers should be attracted to our fresh and modern interface. The rollout required several considerations:

1. Address major components first?

2. Start with subtle elements for a smoother transition?

3. Undertake a systematic, page-by-page overhaul?

To maximize value, we opted for updates with the most impact, engaging users early to get their feedback. Managing this transition while sticking to our regular development cycle was a challenge, but the feedback we received has been immensely encouraging.

Looking to the future

We've made huge progress (see the before and after screenshots below) but our journey is far from over. Interfaces are still being updated, new design elements are in the pipeline, and continuous improvement is our mantra. Our goal is to finalize the majority of updates by the beginning of 2024. This foundational shift, anchored by Bits, is poised to expedite our feature rollout, aligning with our commitment to user-centric innovation.

Synergy in action

Throughout my time in product design, I've witnessed a number of different outcomes when teams try to implement a design system. What I’ve discovered is that success hinges on meticulous planning, company-wide buy-in, and an unwavering commitment to creating real customer value.

Intruder's journey illustrates the collaborative spirit of our team, from visionary leadership to talented designers and dedicated developers. Taking this big step with our Bits design system reaffirms our commitment to excellence in everything we do. Why not see it in action?

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