The lack of a unified design system at VU Amsterdam led to several key challenges. The inconsistent user interface across different applications caused confusion and hindered productivity. This patchwork of designs made it difficult for employees to efficiently navigate the digital landscape. The primary goal was to create a unified digital environment that enhances usability and productivity.
The VU Amsterdam design system ensures a consistent user experience, streamlines workflows, and enhances productivity by providing a centralized hub for all essential tools and information.
By integrating self-service tools and information into a unified dashboard, employees at VU Amsterdam found a personalized hub for daily tasks. This eliminated the need to use multiple platforms, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency. The design system includes a UI kit, brand guidelines, and a component library. This benefits designers, developers, and, most importantly, the end-users. By creating a design system with accessible components, we ensured the design of an accessible website for different end-users.
UI Kit
Offers a comprehensive library of reusable components and style guidelines.
Brand Guidelines
Offers a clear framework, ensuring consistent brand representation across all platforms.
Component Library
Offers a centralized repository of pre-built, tested, and easily implemented components.
Templates Library
The Templates Library offers pre-designed page layouts and components, accelerating the design process.
Define
Researched the different components across the VU landscape
Defined the different needed atoms
Discussed technical implementation and requirements
Design
Created a design system based on atomic design principles
Built a UI kit with Figma, ensuring consistency and ease of use
Produced usable components
Deliver
Held meetings with front-end developers and product owners
Helped create and implement design tokens
Ensured design system components were implemented correctly
Improved Consistency
The design system ensured a uniform look and feel across all VU platforms, enhancing brand recognition.
Enhanced Efficiency
Reduced the time spent searching for information, allowing employees to focus on their core responsibilities.
Better Collaboration
The design system fostered a shared understanding and language among designers, developers, and stakeholders.
Scalability
The modular design of the system allows for easy integration of new features and services.
Accessibility
The design system ensured that digital resources were accessible to all employees, regardless of disability.
Cost Savings
Reduces costs by cutting design and development time, minimizing errors, and promoting component reuse.