Principles

These principles guide us in working on the design system. They’re designed to inspire action, help us make decisions and set boundaries. We rely on principles rather than process.

1. Be open

Be transparent about our processes and the decisions we make. Take on feedback and change our work or our ideas.

2. Be inviting

Actively encourage members of the team, people at GDS, and the wider community to get involved in our work and help shape decisions.

3. Transfer power

Enable others to make decisions about the design system. Seek out people and ideas proactively that we can involve in activities.

4. Educate

Provide people with the knowledge and skills to iterate and improve the design system sustainably.

5. Progress, don’t perfect

Focus on validating the riskiest assumptions. Highlight where the cost of being wrong is low. Trust the community’s insights to guide us. Iterate.

6. Don’t skip the basics

We create things of value that are usable, accessible, consistent and versatile. We look after the team’s health. We produce high-quality work and document it for our users.

7. Expect a bumpy road

It’s okay to make a call that turned out to be wrong. That’s how we learn and improve.

8. Lift each other up

Own our team and its ceremonies collectively. Create a safe and empathetic environment for each other, facilitators and contributors both. Give or ask for help.