Design Token Systems: Consistent Design at Scale
~7 minutes
TLDR
Design tokens create systematic consistency through reusable values, enabling scalable design management across platforms and teams.
Design tokens standardize design decisions into reusable, platform-agnostic values that maintain consistency across products and platforms. Companies like Salesforce and Adobe use token systems to manage design consistency across hundreds of products and teams. Token categories include color palettes (brand, semantic, component-specific), typography scales (font families, sizes, line heights), spacing systems (margins, padding, layout grids), and interaction states (animations, transitions, elevations). Implementation involves defining tokens in JSON or YAML formats, transforming them into platform-specific code through tools like Style Dictionary or Theo, and integrating with design tools like Figma tokens. Benefits include 60% faster design-to-development handoffs, reduced design inconsistencies, and simplified design system maintenance. Governance requires naming conventions, approval processes, and documentation standards. Version control enables systematic updates across all touchpoints. Adoption strategies include gradual migration, team training, and tool integration.
Design Tokens, Design Systems, Brand Consistency, Scalable Design, Team Collaboration