Design impact beyond UI

Design impact beyond UI

🧩 Token sets

🧩 Token sets

🧩 Token sets

🧩 Token sets

💠 Components guideline

💠 Components guideline

💠 Components guideline

💠 Components guideline

📑 Design document

📑 Design document

📑 Design document

📑 Design document

🧑‍💻 User research/testing initiatives

🧑‍💻 User research/testing initiatives

🧑‍💻 User research/testing initiatives

🧑‍💻 User research/testing initiatives

♿ Accessibility training

♿ Accessibility training

♿ Accessibility training

♿ Accessibility training

⚡ TL;DR

Design is often seen as “making things pretty”. I challenge that view by taking initiatives that shape systems, empower teams, and deliver tangible impact, ultimately influencing strategy and elevating the role of design.

📊 Impact

Reduced button detachment from 17% to 2% in one month and cut its component variants by 60%.

Reduced button detachment from 17% to 2% in one month and cut its component variants by 60%.

Reduced button detachment from 17% to 2% in one month and cut its component variants by 60%.

Reduced button detachment from 17% to 2% in one month and cut its component variants by 60%.

Componentized 98% of reusable UI elements across owned mobile screens.

Componentized 98% of reusable UI elements across owned mobile screens.

Componentized 98% of reusable UI elements across owned mobile screens.

Componentized 98% of reusable UI elements across owned mobile screens.

Reduced UI update effort by about 30 minutes per 20 screens by applying single-property changes through components instead of manual updates.

Reduced UI update effort by about 30 minutes per 20 screens by applying single-property changes through components instead of manual updates.

Reduced UI update effort by about 30 minutes per 20 screens by applying single-property changes through components instead of manual updates.

Reduced UI update effort by about 30 minutes per 20 screens by applying single-property changes through components instead of manual updates.

Data source: Figma design system analytics, manual screen audit

🧬 Design system evolution

Before

Before

Before

Before

The "Before" visual highlights problems in the legacy design library, such as inconsistent styles, accessibility issues, and unclear component usage.
The "Before" visual highlights problems in the legacy design library, such as inconsistent styles, accessibility issues, and unclear component usage.
The "Before" visual highlights problems in the legacy design library, such as inconsistent styles, accessibility issues, and unclear component usage.
The "Before" visual highlights problems in the legacy design library, such as inconsistent styles, accessibility issues, and unclear component usage.
  • Missing component descriptions ➜ designers were unsure how or when to use them.

  • Inflexible components like tables ➜ low adoption, high detachment rate, and limited usage.

  • Text styles lack line height and usage guidance ➜ unclear hierarchy in practice.e

  • Multiple sizing options without guidance ➜ visual imbalance across the product

  • Multiple similar components ➜ confusion and inconsistent design

After

After

After

After

The "After" visual documents the improved design system with a change log, usage guidelines, and best practices.
The "After" visual documents the improved design system with a change log, usage guidelines, and best practices.
The "After" visual documents the improved design system with a change log, usage guidelines, and best practices.
The "After" visual documents the improved design system with a change log, usage guidelines, and best practices.
  • Clear change logs document ownership, updates, and rationale ➜ developers can track changes, ask questions, and reference versions

  • Component usage guidelines define when and how to use each component, with comparisons between similar components ➜ designers make faster, more confident choices

  • Best practice highlights common mistakes with clear dos and don’ts ➜ designers maintain usability and consistency in implementation

  • Components in action show how each component is used in the product ➜ bridges the gap between the design system and real product usage, increasing adoption

  • Semantic status clearly defines meaning and appropriate usage ➜ ensures consistent interpretation and helps users understand the nature of each message

  • Detailed typography guidance defines where each style applies ➜ creates consistent hierarchy and supports accessible text usage

24

component guidelines drafted

24

component guidelines drafted

24

component guidelines drafted

24

component guidelines drafted

54%

outdated components were cleared

54%

outdated components were cleared

54%

outdated components were cleared

54%

outdated components were cleared

8

token types created, replacing 83% of styles

8

token types created, replacing 83% of styles

8

token types created, replacing 83% of styles

8

token types created, replacing 83% of styles

3

presentations delivered on adoption

3

presentations delivered on adoption

3

presentations delivered on adoption

3

presentations delivered on adoption

Thoughtful design begins with meaningful conversations.

Whether you're building a UX team or just want to exchange ideas, I’d love to connect.

Crafted with 🦊 curiosity, caffeine, and debug tears.

© 2025 Celine.Li.

Thoughtful design begins with meaningful conversations.

Whether you're building a UX team or just want to exchange ideas, I’d love to connect.

Crafted with 🦊 curiosity, caffeine, and debug tears.

© 2025 Celine.Li.

Thoughtful design begins with meaningful conversations.

Whether you're building a UX team or just want to exchange ideas, I’d love to connect.

Crafted with 🦊 curiosity, caffeine, and debug tears.

© 2025 Celine.Li.

Thoughtful design begins with meaningful conversations.

Whether you're building a UX team or just want to exchange ideas, I’d love to connect.

Crafted with 🦊 curiosity, caffeine, and debug tears.

© 2025 Celine.Li.