My answer is No, the use of design systems and interaction design patterns will not stifle creativity in interaction design.
Design system is a comprehensive library of design style guidelines, design standards, components and design tools that are used in a work to ensure its consistency. Design system helps to maintain a unified design style and consistent quality in different parts of a product or project. Interaction design patterns, like design systems, are a set of design solutions that ensure design consistency and quality. These patterns are proven to be the best standard and feasible solutions for some general interactions. Design systems and interaction design patterns all serve as a guideline and templates in the development of a consistent and standardized design.
Design systems are a collection of historically proven and effective design resources. The design system contains the core concepts and guiding principles of this design. This is the part of the design process that designers should constantly remind themselves that all design should revolve around core concepts and principles. The design system seems to contain only some seemingly small elements such as color guidelines, icons, cards, buttons, typography, components, etc., but in fact, they are combined to tell the core concept and design principles of the design. The design system is the smallest unit that can reflect the design concept, and it is the most basic and indispensable part of the design. While design patterns help make the experience more fluid and uniform. Consistent design language will reduce the learning cost of users so that users can encounter familiar buttons or interaction patterns in different scenarios.
Design systems and design patterns can improve design efficiency well, designers can reuse and refer to existing design resources, and do not have to build the design from 0 when doing every interface or product. This also allows designers from different departments involved in the design to maintain a unified output, maintain the look and feel of the product, and maintain and promote a unified user experience.
Using design systems and patterns is like using a dictionary to learn a new language. When designers have reference materials, they are better able to focus on the design itself, rather than some fragmented design details. The details are important, But the use of design systems and design patterns will take good care of details in design, which will allow designers to focus more on advancing the functionality of the product or the smoothness of the user experience. Here is where the creative parts should take place.
I think the presence of design systems and design patterns in the design process is like the bricks in Lego. The design process is like creating a new Lego piece, which requires the construction of the foundation bricks. creativity is required, and the design also depends on the unity of the basic design language. Innovation in design only makes sense when the work has a unified, fluid infrastructure. Design systems and design patterns provide a structured and efficient framework. However, designers also need to have flexibility and adaptability when designing, and design systems and design patterns are worth updating and iterating when necessary. These two valuable tools should be used as design helpers, not rigid rules that limit creativity.
