As an intern, I’ve noticed that design systems aren’t just about following strict rules. They help teams stay consistent and organized, which is especially helpful when working with many people or across different products. For a company, design systems ensure that everything has a unified look and feel, which is great for users because they know what to expect across the brand’s apps or websites.

A design system also speeds up the design process. Instead of creating buttons, colors, or layouts from scratch every time, designers can use pre-made components and focus on bigger, more creative ideas. For me, it’s exciting to see how having a strong design system means we don’t have to worry about reinventing the basics. It’s like having a well-stocked toolkit—everything you need is there, so you’re free to experiment and innovate.

While some might think design systems limit creativity, I see it as the opposite. They provide a foundation that lets designers think beyond the basics.