How to Create a Scalable Design System in Figma
A complete guide to creating design systems: from atoms to organisms. Tips on organizing components and styles.
Introduction
A design system is not just a set of components in Figma. It is a living product that helps the team work faster and more consistently. In this article, we will analyze how to create a system that will scale with your product.
Atomic Design
We use Brad Frost’s atomic design methodology. It divides the interface into five levels:
- Atoms: basic elements (buttons, inputs, icons).
- Molecules: groups of atoms (search form).
- Organisms: complex components (header, product card).
- Templates: page structure.
- Pages: real content.
Organization in Figma
Styles
Start by defining basic styles:
- Colors (Primary, Secondary, Neutral, Semantic)
- Typography (Headings, Body, Caption)
- Effects (Shadows, Blurs)
Components
Use Auto Layout for all components. This will ensure their responsiveness and ease of maintenance. Don’t forget about Variants and Component Properties to reduce the number of components.
Conclusion
Creating a design system is an investment. Spending time now will save you hundreds of hours in the future.