What is a design system?
A design system is a source of truth for user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design standards. It consists of a library of reusable UI components, a design kit, guidance, and clear standards that help our teams build consistent digital experiences for all New Brunswickers.
Why we need design systems
As the number of devices, browsers, and environments increases, the need to create design systems becomes more important than ever. For design to scale at the speed required to match the growth-rate of technology, design systems are a proven solution.
Why you should use it
The reusable components in the design system make it faster than ever to create consistent user interfaces. We've simplified common design decisions to save you time, and provide detailed guidance on where, when, and how to use different components to help ensure the things you build follow best practices.
- Provide a single source of truth
- Scale design expertise
- Improve user experience
- Improve usability
- Build in accessibility
- Design consistently
- Prototype faster
- Iterate more quickly
- Share with product teams
- Manage design debt
Our principles
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People-centric
Keep people at the center of design decisions, focusing on user needs and tasks. Conduct user research, usability testing and use data to deepen our understanding of our users.
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Technology agnostic
Design experiences that work seamlessly across all platforms and devices. Use a “graceful degradation” approach to ensure usability on older devices and browsers. Always consider imitations and advantages of different platforms to optimize the user experience.
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Consistent
Consistency is key to building trust. Always strive to create the most seamless experience possible. Ensure enough flexibility in the design system to meet the diverse spectrum of needs and applications of our users.
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Clear
Use familiar design patterns and conventions so users can quickly grasp how to interact with an interface. Minimize confusion and ensure usability. Always use plain language and avoid jargon or acronyms.
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Inclusive
Design with diverse user needs in mind. Accommodate the needs of all users, including those with disabilities and those from diverse user groups, to ensure equitable access to government services.
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Continuous improvement
Continuously gather feedback from users of the design system to make informed decisions about improvements and enhancements. Engage with the design system community and provide a channel for developers to report issues or request features and work with them to understand their needs.
GNB Design System community
Collaboration is at the heart of every design system community. To help everyone stay connected, we've created a team on Microsoft SharePoint and Teams — making it easy for members to ask questions, share insights and ideas, and receive feedback.