Refining Telkomsel Orbit Design System
Work, Design System
Duration
August 2023 - Ongoing
Company
Aleph Labs Indonesia x Telkomsel Orbit
Telkomsel Orbit is a portable internet and WiFi provider by Telkomsel, one of the biggest telecommunication companies in Indonesia. In my current position as a UI/UX Designer at Aleph Labs Indonesia, Telkomsel Orbit is the primary client I work with. In this role, a significant aspect of my responsibilities involves serving as the design system maintainer.
Problem Background
In the initial stages of managing the design system, I faced challenges stemming from the design system structure that lack scalability and the presence of many underutilized components. The system's disorganization resulted in designers occasionally struggling to locate the components they needed.
Design system before refinement
Recognizing the need for improvement, I conducted a thorough audit of the Information Architecture (IA) by engaging in discussions with two other designers in the team and dissecting our design workflow. This process allowed me to identify shortcomings in the design system and pinpoint areas for enhancement. Utilizing FigJam, I visually mapped out the identified problems and brainstormed potential solutions.
Design system audit
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Identify problems and brainstorm solutions in Figjam
Outcomes
Drawing inspiration from other design systems through benchmarking and studying design system videos on YouTube, I gathered valuable insights and examples to implement in our project.
Benchmarking
This guided the development of a refined IA that included design system guidelines such as changelogs, procedures for requesting and adding new components, guidelines for publishing, naming conventions, and a component checklist.
Additionally, it accounted for considerations regarding desktop and mobile components, versioning details, and explicit do's and don'ts, accompanied by component explanations and usage example. To maintain a concise and user-friendly approach, all guidelines were structured into bite-sized chunks.
In addition to the redesigned structure, I am actively working on a maintenance initiative, including a newsletter update to keep the team informed and engaged. This is still a work in progress, but I can’t wait to share once this one is done.
Positive Improvements
Despite ongoing work, the positive impact of these changes is already evident. Noteworthy improvements include:
- Inconsistent Audits Resolved: Successfully addressing and resolving inconsistencies identified during the audit process.
- Component Management: Efficiently listing down and creating missing components while eliminating incompatible ones.
- Streamlined Workflow: Establishing a streamlined workflow for adding new components and defining rules for their publication.
- Change Tracking System: Implementing a system to keep track of changes made to the design system.
- Knowledge Sharing and Efficiency: Transforming the design system into a knowledge-sharing tool, presented in easily digestible formats, significantly enhancing team efficiency.
Learnings
Despite ongoing work, the positive impact of these changes is already evident. Noteworthy improvements include:
- Iterative Adaptation: Recognizing the importance of regularly assessing and adapting the design system to meet evolving needs.
- Collaborative Approach: Emphasizing the value of collaboration and open communication with team members to gain diverse perspectives and identify pain points.
- Benchmarking Insights: Acknowledging the significance of benchmarking against other design systems to gather effective strategies and stay informed about industry best practices.
- Flexibility and Continuous Improvement: Understanding the iterative nature of refinement, highlighting the need for flexibility and continuous improvement in response to changing design requirements and team dynamics.
What’s Next
Looking forward, the next steps in refining our design system involve:
- Completion of Maintenance Initiative: Finalizing our maintenance initiative, which includes the development of a newsletter to regularly update the team on changes and updates within the design system. This proactive communication strategy ensures that everyone stays well-informed about the evolving aspects of our design ecosystem.
- Alignment with Development Team: Currently utilized only by designers, this initiative aims to foster cross-functional collaboration. The goal is to transform the design system into a shared resource, promoting seamless synergy between design and development efforts.
