Beginner

Make Design Systems People Want to Use

Make Design Systems People Want to Use

Make Design Systems People Want to Use

Make Design Systems People Want to Use

A 12-episode video course to help managers, directors, and practitioners understand design systems as a software product

A step-by-step walkthrough of using an existing design system in Figma.

A step-by-step walkthrough of using an existing design system in Figma.

A step-by-step walkthrough of using an existing design system in Figma.

“If you build it, they will come” doesn’t work with design systems. It takes a specific process and mindset to make a design system that actually gets used. In this course, you’ll learn the difference between component libraries and true design systems, new workflows for tighter collaboration between designers and engineers, how to measure success, and a lot more.

“If you build it, they will come” doesn’t work with design systems. It takes a specific process and mindset to make a design system that actually gets used. In this course, you’ll learn the difference between component libraries and true design systems, new workflows for tighter collaboration between designers and engineers, how to measure success, and a lot more.

“If you build it, they will come” doesn’t work with design systems. It takes a specific process and mindset to make a design system that actually gets used. In this course, you’ll learn the difference between component libraries and true design systems, new workflows for tighter collaboration between designers and engineers, how to measure success, and a lot more.

“If you build it, they will come” doesn’t work with design systems. It takes a specific process and mindset to make a design system that actually gets used. In this course, you’ll learn the difference between component libraries and true design systems, new workflows for tighter collaboration between designers and engineers, how to measure success, and a lot more.

01

Welcome + About the Instructor

About the course and more about former SuperFriendly Founder & CEO Dan Mall.

1:14

01

Welcome + About the Instructor

About the course and more about former SuperFriendly Founder & CEO Dan Mall.

1:14

01

Welcome + About the Instructor

About the course and more about former SuperFriendly Founder & CEO Dan Mall.

1:14

02

True Design Systems

How do UI Kits, Component Library, and Design Systems fit together? Which of them are worth investing in and to what level?

9:56

02

True Design Systems

How do UI Kits, Component Library, and Design Systems fit together? Which of them are worth investing in and to what level?

9:56

02

True Design Systems

How do UI Kits, Component Library, and Design Systems fit together? Which of them are worth investing in and to what level?

9:56

03

Component Libraries vs. Design Systems

One of the biggest pieces of confusion around design systems is how they differ from component libraries. The short answer? Connections.

11:12

03

Component Libraries vs. Design Systems

One of the biggest pieces of confusion around design systems is how they differ from component libraries. The short answer? Connections.

11:12

03

Component Libraries vs. Design Systems

One of the biggest pieces of confusion around design systems is how they differ from component libraries. The short answer? Connections.

11:12

04

Avoiding Design System Graveyards

Without fail, every organization I’ve worked with has failed attempts at a design system. Why does this happen? Is it inevitable?

2:50

04

Avoiding Design System Graveyards

Without fail, every organization I’ve worked with has failed attempts at a design system. Why does this happen? Is it inevitable?

2:50

04

Avoiding Design System Graveyards

Without fail, every organization I’ve worked with has failed attempts at a design system. Why does this happen? Is it inevitable?

2:50

05

Pilots — The Best Way to Start and Grow a Design System

What’s better than creating a design system to make digital products? Making digital products to create a design system.

30:06

05

Pilots — The Best Way to Start and Grow a Design System

What’s better than creating a design system to make digital products? Making digital products to create a design system.

30:06

05

Pilots — The Best Way to Start and Grow a Design System

What’s better than creating a design system to make digital products? Making digital products to create a design system.

30:06

06

Embracing Front-End Development

Where do design cohesion, code consistency, and customer value converge? At the most important part of the digital product design process: front-end development.

4:21

06

Embracing Front-End Development

Where do design cohesion, code consistency, and customer value converge? At the most important part of the digital product design process: front-end development.

4:21

06

Embracing Front-End Development

Where do design cohesion, code consistency, and customer value converge? At the most important part of the digital product design process: front-end development.

4:21

07

Designer + Developer Workflow

Design systems reach their maximum potential when they enable better collaboration between teams. In this episode, we’ll look at what a fluid workflow can look like between designer and developer, especially when a design system is involved.

21:33

07

Designer + Developer Workflow

Design systems reach their maximum potential when they enable better collaboration between teams. In this episode, we’ll look at what a fluid workflow can look like between designer and developer, especially when a design system is involved.

21:33

07

Designer + Developer Workflow

Design systems reach their maximum potential when they enable better collaboration between teams. In this episode, we’ll look at what a fluid workflow can look like between designer and developer, especially when a design system is involved.

21:33

08

Staffing a Design System Team

Real talk about what a mature design system team looks like and how much money it takes to sustain it year-to-year.

4:02

08

Staffing a Design System Team

Real talk about what a mature design system team looks like and how much money it takes to sustain it year-to-year.

4:02

08

Staffing a Design System Team

Real talk about what a mature design system team looks like and how much money it takes to sustain it year-to-year.

4:02

09

Standard Design System Success Metrics

How do you know if your design system is working like it’s supposed to? This episode covers some basic metrics every design system should be tuned to.

6:38

09

Standard Design System Success Metrics

How do you know if your design system is working like it’s supposed to? This episode covers some basic metrics every design system should be tuned to.

6:38

09

Standard Design System Success Metrics

How do you know if your design system is working like it’s supposed to? This episode covers some basic metrics every design system should be tuned to.

6:38

10

Custom Success Metrics for Your Design System

Past the basic set of metrics that every design system should meet, find the ones that are specific to your organization. Time to push further!

22:09

10

Custom Success Metrics for Your Design System

Past the basic set of metrics that every design system should meet, find the ones that are specific to your organization. Time to push further!

22:09

10

Custom Success Metrics for Your Design System

Past the basic set of metrics that every design system should meet, find the ones that are specific to your organization. Time to push further!

22:09

11

Evangelism Never Stops

Buy-in isn’t a thing you get once before you create a design system; it’s an ongoing investment.

5:25

11

Evangelism Never Stops

Buy-in isn’t a thing you get once before you create a design system; it’s an ongoing investment.

5:25

11

Evangelism Never Stops

Buy-in isn’t a thing you get once before you create a design system; it’s an ongoing investment.

5:25

12

Wrapping Up

Reviewing the 4 main takeaways from this course.

2:57

12

Wrapping Up

Reviewing the 4 main takeaways from this course.

2:57

What students are saying

What students are saying

What students are saying

“The right course at the right time.”

“I really liked the fact that we covered human interactions in the context of the development of a digital product.”

“This course gives great tips on how design systems get adopted and how to avoid the pitfalls while trying get one up and running.”

“If you are involved in the creation or maintenance of a complex web based anything, this course is for you, no doubt!”

“The core message of treating and maintaining a design system like a product were right on target and delivered in an inspiring way.”

“The concepts were crystal clear. Very well explained and articulated.”

“Well worth the money. Tons of ideas and suggestions. Absolutely sign up for it.”

“The content was packed with information, focused, and inspiring.”

“You can tell the instructor has a lot of experience on the matter and he has seen different scenarios.”

“Great mix of lecture and application. Engaging and valuable exercises.”

“The way knowledge was shared gave me confidence. I loved the relevant and thought provoking references you included. Thank you!”

About the Instructor

About the Instructor

Dan Mall is a seasoned teacher, coach, consultant, creative director, and designer. He previously ran design systems consultancy SuperFriendly for a decade and has taught design systems to thousands of people from companies like Google, Shopify, Nike, Eventbrite, Amazon, Netflix, and more.


Dan lives just outside Philly with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. He learned how to swim last year and plans to try scuba diving sometime soon.

Dan Mall is a seasoned teacher, coach, consultant, creative director, and designer. He previously ran design systems consultancy SuperFriendly for a decade and has taught design systems to thousands of people from companies like Google, Shopify, Nike, Eventbrite, Amazon, Netflix, and more.


Dan lives just outside Philly with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. He learned how to swim last year and plans to try scuba diving sometime soon.

Dan Mall is a seasoned teacher, coach, consultant, creative director, and designer. He previously ran design systems consultancy SuperFriendly for a decade and has taught design systems to thousands of people from companies like Google, Shopify, Nike, Eventbrite, Amazon, Netflix, and more.


Dan lives just outside Philly with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. He learned how to swim last year and plans to try scuba diving sometime soon.

Learn how to make design systems that people want to use to get your organization started on creating products more efficiently and consistently.

Learn how to make design systems that people want to use to get your organization started on creating products more efficiently and consistently.

Learn how to make design systems that people want to use to get your organization started on creating products more efficiently and consistently.

Related Courses

Related Courses

Intermediate–Advanced

$3,999

A 90-day program to get an adopted design system up and running by the end of the year.

Intermediate–Advanced

$3,999

A 90-day program to get an adopted design system up and running by the end of the year.

Intermediate–Advanced

$3,999

A 90-day program to get an adopted design system up and running by the end of the year.

Beginner

Free

Watch DSU founder Dan Mall create a design in Figma from start to finish using an existing design system.

Beginner

Free

Watch DSU founder Dan Mall create a design in Figma from start to finish using an existing design system.

Beginner

Free

Watch DSU founder Dan Mall create a design in Figma from start to finish using an existing design system.

Intermediate

$149

$101

A hands-on, 72-module, 10+ hour course that gets you started on everything you need to know to get a design system’s design and code up and running.

Intermediate

$101

A hands-on, 72-module, 10+ hour course that gets you started on everything you need to know to get a design system’s design and code up and running.

Intermediate

$101

A hands-on, 72-module, 10+ hour course that gets you started on everything you need to know to get a design system’s design and code up and running.

Design System University is content & curriculum to help you design at scale.

Subscribe for the latest content about design systems:

© 2023–2024 Design System University. All rights reserved.

DSU

Design System University is content & curriculum to help you design at scale.

Subscribe for the latest content about design systems:

© 2023–2024 Design System University. All rights reserved.

DSU

Design System University is content & curriculum to help you design at scale.

Subscribe for the latest content about design systems:

© 2023–2024 Design System University. All rights reserved.

DSU

Design System University is content & curriculum to help you design at scale.

Subscribe for the latest content about design systems:

© 2023–2024 Design System University. All rights reserved.

DSU