Design Systems
A case study on design systems
Timeline
February 2026
Team
Myself
Tools
Figma Figjam
Overview
What is a design system, and what has it looked like, what is it now, and more importantly, what might it become in the future?
Context
Getting hands on with a design system at Mirror Physics
As a Product Design Intern at Mirror Physics, I gained hands-on experience working with and building design systems. Through this experience, I realized how quickly the concept of design systems is evolving. In this project, I explore design systems from my own perspective and compile my research into an open resource.
THE PROBLEM
The "old" way of creating design systems
At Mirror Physics, while building Axon, I was tasked with creating a design system for graphs and data visualizations. However, the traditional process of designers designing all assets and components in a design system, handing them off to engineers, and iterating back and forth proved too slow, especially in a fast-paced startup environment.
THE SOLUTION
The "new" way of creating design systems
It quickly became clear that in an age where much of the code is AI-assisted, creating a design system requires a different approach. Instead of focusing on static components, we began documenting the intention behind each design decision in a Markdown file.
In this way, the design system shifts from static documentation to an evolving set of notes that capture how designers within a team think.
DOCUMENTATION
I compiled all my research into a fig jam file that anyone can use and explore. You can find the link to the community file here as well!
I hope that others can find this to be a helpful resource, and if you have comments/feedback/thoughts, feel free to email me at jenniferhuang724@163.com as well!
REFLECTIONS
What's in line for the future of design?
This project raised a bigger question for the future of design. What will be the role of designers in an ever-changing time that pushes us to go faster and faster? Me personally, I think (good) design and ideas will become more and more important but also increasingly rare. Ultimately, it boils down to understanding the intentionality behind every decision that you make.
Thanks for reading!
Want to learn more? Curious about the details? Feel free to reach out to me at jenniferhuang724@163.com!