Computer Age

Wether design systems and interaction design patterns stifle creativity in interaction design

Just like all the other artworks and design in the wold, artists and designers need to follow some specific norms based on ethics or social doctrines. But it doesn’t mean a block for creativity. In the world of design, that is also the same. Also, the use of design systems and interaction design patterns can even support creativity in interaction design rather than stifle it. While these tools establish consistency and familiarity, freeing designers from reinventing standard components, they allow space for creativity in crafting unique and complex user experiences.

Every designers start from an entry level, and design system is a necessary lecture that we all learned. Design systems streamline routine design tasks, providing a solid foundation from which designers can explore and innovate at higher levels, focusing on user needs and engagement rather than repetitive details. However, creativity can be hindered if these systems are used too rigidly, leading to overly uniform designs. When applied thoughtfully and with flexibility, design systems and patterns can actually enhance creativity, allowing designers to build consistent yet dynamic and personalised experiences.

Web to UX

The growing rise of web complexity demands for design that adapts to all users. When technology becomes too complicated, the appeal to certain demographics begin to shift. For senior individuals, they may feel technology has become too complex for daily use. For those with visual impairments, they may feel technology is exclusive to those without visual disabilities. These real life instances are the inclusive considerations that need to be raised when breaking down complex systems into universal systems. With the increasing demand for UX, comes the growing need for accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. By considering the experiences of the people we are designing for, we can make technology accessible for all. Design does not only serve aesthetic purposes, they serve working functions.

Design Patterns

The use of design systems and interaction design patterns can streamline design processes and enhance consistency, but they do not inherently stifle creativity. Instead, they found a new way which is by establishing a framework for efficiency, allowing designers to focus on solving complex problems rather than creating new basics. By standardizing repetitive elements, such systems free up cognitive resources for exploring innovative features, storytelling, and unique user experiences.

However, over-reliance on rigid patterns can lead to generic designs and inhibit experimentation. To maintain creativity, designers should view design systems as tools rather than constraints, adapting them thoughtfully to context and user needs. Creativity thrives when designers balance structure with flexibility, ensuring that functional patterns enhance, rather than limit, originality in interaction design.

Design Systems vs Creativity

In ways, design systems do restrict creative freedom. Though, I also believe these limitations are upheld for a reason. Having full creative freedom without referencing design systems can be risky, especially when designing for companies and stakeholders. Some risks include lack of uniformity, large investment in time, and misunderstanding of content. A company’s goal when designing is to engage users through intuitive experiences, using typography, composition, and photography. Most of the existing systems today are tailored to that goal, and these systems are borrowed because they are effective for both the users and the company. Breaking out of these set in place systems may do more harm than good. It can offset the presentation and professionalism of a company and confuse users navigating through unfamiliar material. Though, in special cases when designs are created mindfully and attentively, breaking out of design systems can greatly enhance interactive experiences. Similar to how musicians can consciously break music rules when they understand theory, designers can effectively break away from design systems after they understand how design systems work and why they are in place.

Design System and Creativity

I see design systems and interaction design patterns as both helpful and a bit limiting for creativity. On one side, these systems provide set rules and ready-to-use components that can make it seem like there’s less room for new ideas because you’re encouraged to follow established guidelines. However, I think these systems can also actually encourage creativity in another way. They take care of the basic design structure, which allows designers to focus on creating new and innovative solutions within that framework. By not having to start from scratch every time, designers can use their creativity to improve and personalize user experiences. So, while these systems might set some boundaries, they also give designers the freedom to explore and innovate within those limits, so being flexible us important, enjoy the convenience but don’t be trapped.

What caused the transition from Web design to User Experience Design?

The shift from Web Design to User Experience (UX) Design is something I’ve seen and felt firsthand in my work. Early web design was pretty simple—it was all about making things look good, organizing content in a way that caught the eye. But as digital products grew more complex, it became clear that a website wasn’t just a “place” anymore; it was an experience. Aesthetics alone didn’t cut it. We needed to think about how people felt using our sites, what they were trying to do, and how we could make it easier for them.

One huge factor driving this shift was the rise of mobile. Suddenly, people were using devices of all shapes and sizes, and traditional web layouts started to break down.

This forced us to design with more flexibility and empathy for different types of users. The experience couldn’t just look good on a desktop; it had to be seamless on every device.

UX brought in a whole new mindset. It wasn’t just about how things looked but about how they worked—and more importantly, how they worked for the person using them. We started focusing on user flows, usability testing, and really understanding user pain points.

Analytics played a role, too. We had real data on user behavior, which allowed us to make changes based on actual needs, not just assumptions.

Web design to User Experience Design

In my point of view, the shift from web design to UX design was driven by the need to create more user-centred, responsive, and accessible digital experiences. Initially, web design focused on visual effect and layout, but as websites evolved into interactive platforms, companies recognized the importance of prioritising usability and user satisfaction. The rise of mobile devices demanded designs that could adapt seamlessly across screens, making UX design crucial for ensuring consistent, high-quality experiences.

Also, as digital products grew in complexity, UX design expanded to address not just isolated pages but the entire user journey, aiming for coherence and engagement. Data-driven insights and a growing emphasis on accessibility further shaped UX design, which now centres on crafting intuitive and inclusive experiences that cater to diverse user needs. This transition has shifted the focus from just creating visually appealing sites to building meaningful, impactful interactions.

The shift from web design to UX design happened as websites became more complex and important in daily life. Early web design mostly focused on making sites look nice, without much thought about how people would use them. But as technology improved and people started expecting more interactive and user-friendly experiences, companies saw the need to make websites easier to use. Mobile devices also changed things, as people needed websites to work well on different screen sizes. UX design then began focusing on the whole user journey, not just the look of each page. With the help of user feedback and data, designers could make sites that are simpler, more inclusive, and easier for everyone to use.

Web Design to UX Design

I think that the transition from Web design to User Experience design happened as designers started focusing not just on how a website looks and functions, but on how users interact with and feel about the site. At first, the goal in Web design was to make sites that were visually appealing and functionally smooth. Over time, as more people with diverse needs used the internet, the importance of understanding and improving the entire user experience became evident. UX Design emerged as a field that prioritizes this comprehensive approach, focusing on creating positive, engaging, and user-friendly experiences by deeply understanding users’ needs and behaviors. Since users are satisfied with their experience, then it is a good design.

Web to User Experience

The transition from Web Design to User Experience (UX) Design arose as digital technology and user needs evolved.

Early web design focused on aesthetics and functions, but increasing complexity in digital products required attention to usability and user journeys. When smart phones and more convenient product was invented, web design had to upgrade as well. With the technology rising, function and aesthetics was built based on a product, web design are included in these features. Web design no longer needs to built functions and aesthetics, these things upgrades with the technology growth. What they can focus on is the people who use it. Better user experience can allow users get to their approach easier and faster, by claiming datas and doing research, adding human -based component to the design.

Use of Design Systems

While design systems and interaction design patterns provide frameworks that emphasize consistency, they don’t necessarily stifle creativity. Instead, these tools can free designers to focus on innovative problem-solving by simplifying repetitive aspects of the design process. When used flexibly as guidelines rather than strict rules, design systems allow designers to deliver both reliable and user-friendly interfaces without limiting their creative vision. However, some designers may argue that over-reliance on these systems may make it tempting to default to familiar solutions, potentially limiting exploration of creative design concepts. Therefore, I believe that it is important to balance structured guidelines with a willingness to adapt, in order to maintain creativity within these systems.

Transition from Web Design to UX Design

The transition from traditional web design to user experience design was driven by technological advancements and a shift toward user-centered approaches. Initially, web design focused on creating functional websites, often prioritizing brand aesthetics and simple interactions. However, as technology evolved to support more interactive and personalized experiences, designers recognized the importance of focusing on the overall user journey, from accessibility to emotional engagement. UX design emerged to address these needs, emphasizing empathy, usability testing, and iterative design based on user feedback to ensure more intuitive, inclusive, and enjoyable digital experiences. This shift also mirrored broader changes in business strategies, where providing a high-quality user experience became key to customer retention and satisfaction.

Factors Leading From Web Design To UX Design

I think the transition from web design to user experience design is a natural process, just as the Internet has evolved from static display pages to more user interaction-oriented applications.

In my opinion there are several main reasons that have contributed to this shift. First, with the continued development of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, web pages are no longer just static collections of images and text, but allow for more complex interactions and dynamic effects. This provides designers with more room for creativity, while also placing higher demands on design. Second, the popularity of smartphones and tablets allows users to access the Internet anytime and anywhere. This fragmented usage scenario requires designers to pay more attention to the user’s experience on different devices, rather than being limited to the traditional computer screen. Third, users are no longer satisfied with simple access to information; they want websites and applications to be more personalized, smarter, and more responsive to their needs. This has pushed designers from focusing on visual design to focusing on user psychology and behavior.

Why Design System Is So Important

People usually think the design system might restricted creativity because anything with system seems like need to be organized and follow stats. but them can actually enhanced by providing reliable foundations that makes designer not going to do repetitive tasks. By establishing patterns and components, designers can now really concentrate on new challenges as well as exploring innovative solutions. More than that, design system is also consistent, a shared language within development teams also facilitates smoother collaboration. This is really important for having creative and cohesive outcomes.


On the other hand, if people want design system to be more effective, it is really vital to be flexible and adaptable in design system. Organizations should be foster values in experimentation and risk-taking, to make sure that creativity will be encouraged in the structure of design thinking. In this way, a well -designed design system can empowered designers to product unique and engaging user experiences.

Cause from Web Design to User Experience Design

There are many causes from web design to UX design, involved a transformed from simple static pages to dynamics, interactive apps, which required a holistic approach that focused on the user experience. This shift is a response of expansion of the internet as well as better understanding of user centered design. Mainly focus on usability, accessibility and satisfaction rate instead of merely into visual approach. The result will be designers revolve around user needs and behaviors to make sure the experience is functional and enjoyable.

More than that, rise of mobile devices like cellphones creates new challenges, as designers had to adapt to a smaller screen as well as touched based interfaces, the whole game of design altered. New tech and web data analytics allows designers to use as an insight to inform their design decisions, adding effectiveness into their works. With improvement to create more complexed interfaces, designers could focus on combining visual appeal into design but aiming more in user journey across different platforms. Thus, this could be another part how the transition from web design to User Experience Design, because the needs changed.

My Answer Is No.

“Does the use of design systems and interaction design patterns stifle creativity in interaction design? ”is an interesting question. My take on this question is that design systems are the cornerstone of creativity. First of all, a design system provides a unified set of visual language and interaction norms, so that designers can focus more on solving user problems rather than obsessing over every detail. This is like a painter with a color palette and brushes to create more freely. Second, the design system can greatly improve the design efficiency, so that designers can iterate and validate design solutions more quickly. This provides designers with more time to explore new ideas. Third, interaction design patterns are proven solutions that can help designers build high-quality interactions quickly. Finally, interaction design patterns can inspire designers to stand on the shoulders of giants and create better designs.

Overall, design systems and interaction design patterns should be viewed as a tool, not a constraint. Designers should choose and utilize them flexibly according to specific design needs. And add their own personalized elements to the design systems and interaction design patterns.

Design systems and interaction design patterns complement each other

Rather than stifling creativity in interaction design, the use of design systems and interaction design patterns can promote creativity in many ways. This is because they provide structure and consistency in the design process, allowing designers to focus their energy on innovation and optimization of the user experience.


Design systems and interaction design patterns provide designers with a solid foundation, such as basic elements such as color, typography, buttons, and layouts. By reducing repetitive work, designers can focus more on exploring new interactions, animations, user journeys, and functional innovations. This improves the efficiency of the overall design process, giving designers more time to think creatively and solve complex problems.


Design systems ensure visual and interactive consistency throughout the product, and users benefit from it. Designers can innovate more freely within the system in this case without worrying about disrupting overall consistency.
Design patterns can provide inspiration for designers and help them understand different types of interactions and user behaviors. Designers can draw on these patterns for deeper innovation and customization to meet the needs of specific projects.


While design systems and interaction design patterns provide structure, they do not restrict creativity, but instead provide a framework for designers to innovate in a clearer and more consistent environment. Creativity often thrives within limitations, and these tools provide designers with constraints while also providing room for innovation.

Shuoning Liang

The shift from web design to user experience design

The shift from web design to user experience design (UX design) is driven by a number of factors. With the advancement of the Internet and technology, the complexity of websites has increased, and traditional web design is no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of users.


Users have higher and higher expectations for digital products. They not only want websites to be beautiful, but also want them to be easy, fast and barrier-free to use.


Modern design principles focus more on user-centered methodologies and emphasize understanding user needs and behaviors. User research, testing and data-driven design have become key, pushing design from a static approach based on interfaces to experience design that focuses on user behavior and feelings.


Improving user experience can directly affect business results, such as increasing conversion rates and user satisfaction. Companies recognize that investing in UX design is an important strategy to improve the competitiveness of products and services.


UX design integrates multiple disciplines such as psychology, human-computer interaction, information architecture and visual design, making it an overall design field that goes beyond the traditional scope of web design.

In summary, the evolution of user needs, technological advances and changes in the business environment have all contributed to the shift from web design to user experience design.

Shuoning Liang

Do Design Systems Limit Creativity or Enhance It?

Design systems and interaction design patterns are now indispensable components of constructing high-quality, effective digital products. They are uniform, they make designs scalable, and they are familiar to the user. With pre-built components, they are faster at design and free up teams to address more challenging problems.

But there’s also the risk that these models will choke off innovation. Designers that can’t think outside the box might not be able to come up with anything creative as long as they use standard parts. Experimentation and breaking boundaries are part of the creative process, and too rigid an application of design processes can lead to suppression of it.

But don’t forget that you can have creativity and order at the same time. Design systems can act as a scaffolding that lends the efficiency needed but still makes room for creative approaches. Design can play around with these limits – they can make use of the systems as a source of creativity instead of hinderance. The trick is when to play by the rules, and when to push against them in the name of innovation.

From Web Design to UX Design

Web Design is now UX Design, and UX Design is the digital transition from a static design to a dynamic design that responds to the needs and expectations of users in the future. Web design was, until the advent of the internet, mostly about appearance: designing websites that looked good, with the right colors, fonts, and structures. It was always about getting a user’s attention and making something beautiful. But as the web matured and websites evolved into more interactive, designers came to see that looks were not enough. We had to think too about the actual usage of these sites, so there were more considerations about usability, navigation and functionality.

This change was only further stimulated by smartphones and mobile internet connections, which spread so fast. Now designers had to suddenly learn how to create websites that scaled to various sizes and types of inputs. This demand led to the discipline of responsive design which needed a deeper understanding of how users were behaving in various situations. There was no longer just a matter of designing something to appear nice on a desktop screen, it had to be user-friendly and customizable that was smooth and seamless on any device. This focus on adaptability and usability also formed the foundation of User Experience Design.

Another important influencer of this change was the advent of more dynamic and advanced web technologies. Websites became more than just static pages – they were now dynamic spaces with the capacity for rich interactions, from social feeds to advanced online apps. As digital products became more complex, they must be comprehensible and easy to use by the user. This complexity required a user-centric strategy based on understanding user requirements, motivations and pain points. It became important to have data analytics and a sense of user behavior so designers could take actions on evidence instead of assumptions. This data-driven mindset grew into UX Design, which relied on research, prototyping, and iterative testing to develop better and more fun experiences.

And also as digital space became more competitive, businesses found that great user experience was not only nice to have, but essential differentiation. Things were bigger and users were more demanding; they wanted a site that loads fast, was easy to navigate and smooth. Meeting these expectations involved a whole new kind of design thinking, a web design that took into account not only the visual appearance but the functionality and experience of a website. That awareness is what gave rise to UX Design as a broad discipline, which includes visual design, user research, interaction design, and information architecture. UX Design is in its essence human oriented and draws upon psychology, cognitive science and behavioural research to design digital experiences that make people feel right at home and continue to come back.

Web Design Changing to UX Design is just part of the larger cultural trend of making technology with people in mind. It’s design without intent and design without meaning. This change is a reflection of how technologies evolve and how we strive to adapt digital goods to the people who use them.

Response to User Experience

The shift from web design to user experience design occurred with the evolution of technology and the interactivity and complexity of the web. Early web design focused primarily on the visual as well as listing the boxes and all the features that were intended to be presented. Of course, as websites and applications grew in size, complexity and user expectations, people started to become more user-centered. After all, people are at the center of it all. UX design not only addresses the visual and functional aspects of a product, but also ensures that the user’s psychology is met throughout the process of using it. Combining usability testing, user research and psychology.

This shift began in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the introduction of user-centered design and the rise of interactive websites. Another important turning point was the birth of the smartphone around 2007. Such a large market demand and population base led designers to focus more on usability, accessibility and cross-device experiences.