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In the digital age we live in, it’s important we continuously focus on creating more efficient and smoother systems to achieve our goals. A design system does just this: it streamlines the design process in the most time-efficient way. A design system is an investment. It allows for a special focus on design systems before the inefficiencies become too overwhelming.

Design systems help create a better user experience, allow for an easy-to-use platform for designers, and create a robust problem-solving environment. A design system allows for all aspects of your brand to work together to reflect your brand and design. A design system defines a brand design system – incorporating UI elements and code snippets to help developers.

A design system includes all visual and non-visual elements and processes. Your brand is implemented in the design and code across your platforms, including not only color, typography, and layout, but also vocabulary and tone of voice. All of these aspects are created and decided on separately, but come together to form your brand.

When created a design system allows for the front-end (what users see) to be seamless across all platforms and the back-end (what developers use) to speed up and simplify the way designers work on your project. A design system is the key to brand recognition, and efficiency for everyone involved (developers, users, and the site itself).

You have an app idea and you want to start developing it, but where do you start? You need to start fully understanding what your application is about, what it’s expected to do, who its users will be, how potential customers will interact with it, and much more. To figure it all out, we dive deep into a customer’s ideas and possible solutions to create the best possible prototype of the future app. Discover how we get from an app idea to a prototype.

1. Explore Customer Thinking

One of the most important steps is to take the time to understand what kind of app and purpose a customer has so that we can implement necessary features and keep the details out of it until there is a concept on the table.

1. Competitor Research

Looking out for apps with a similar purpose or who incorporate similar features allows us to find a direction for the app.

1. Draft Wireframes

Next, we start building. We draft wireframes and formulate requirements for each of the key features to have an idea of what steps users will have to go through to perform their goals.

1. Design Flows

Mockups come into play next. We design each possible screen into flows and add arrows or comments to understand what each functionality or next screen will be.

1. Incorporate Error Pages

At times, users may open false pages or perform an error and when this happens, an error or 404 page/pop-up should allow the user to know of the issue. These are also incorporated into the wireframes.

1. Test the App and Fine-Tune

If there’s one crucial test before demonstrating a mockup or publishing an app, it’s to test all aspects to fix any kinks and perform any adjustments needed.

1. Conduct Demo

The last step, perhaps the most exciting, is to combine all screens worked on to demonstrate to the customer how the app will work. It’s likely after this step customers will require modifications and change their minds on certain aspects. This is when we return to step 6 then perform another demo and cycle through these steps until everyone is proud of the creation.

The Coronavirus lockdown has been a trying time for all of us, however, there have been a lot of positive aspects that have come from the lockdown on businesses.

E-commerce

For one, the lockdown has caused many people to start buying what they need online and take advantage of delivery platforms, including groceries, Rx prescriptions, and other items. E-commerce has clearly grown exponentially.

Reflect on Required Meetings

The inability to meet in person has made a lot of companies reflect on what is actually important to discuss during meetings as virtual meet-ups have become the new go-to. With many employees working from home, it isn’t as easy to speak to others as going into the next-door office. This has allowed many to focus on the core components of meetings and skip the details.

Learn to Build Stronger Connections

When meeting in person is out of the question, it becomes incredibly important for employees to collaborate much more efficiently and for companies to build strong client relationships, including with prospective clients.

Spike in Digital Creation

With many customers being forced to shop and consult online methods for their needs, it has made companies need to improve their digital platforms. Many companies are increasing their app and web efficiencies and hiring developers to get their company up-to-date in the digital world.

Time Management and Flexibility

Businesses have had to move to a remote workplace quickly during this time and employees have had to adopt new methods to get their work done, especially when working from home. Many employees have had to adapt to a fast-changing environment, be flexible with new tools, and learn to manage their time and tasks when not in the office.

Covid-19 has certainly been difficult on many individuals and businesses, however, it has also allowed for positive effects and crucial changes in a business to take place that may have been on a backburner for years.