As the Figma Implementation Lead for the Carbon for IBM Products Figma Library, I focused on optimizing and streamlining the design tooling for IBM Software products. The Carbon for IBM Products system is an extension of Carbon, specifically tailored for IBM Software, providing designers and developers with unique components, patterns, and guidelines for product design. My primary responsibility was leading the Figma implementation strategy to enhance component efficiency, introducing Figma variables, and drastically reducing the number of component variants from thousands to hundreds. This work significantly improved designer workflows, increased system usability, and empowered IBM teams to build software products more efficiently.
Carbon for IBM Products is the design system used across various IBM Software domains such as App Modernization, Data & AI, IT Automation, Security, Sustainability Software, Infrastructure, and Finance & Operations. As a Pattern Asset Library (PAL), it extends the core Carbon Design System to provide specialized components, patterns, and guidance specifically for IBM’s internal software products. This system is crucial for maintaining consistency and efficiency across the entire software portfolio.
My role was to lead the Figma implementation strategy, ensuring that the design tooling provided to IBM’s designers was optimized for ease of use and efficiency. This involved working closely with teams to implement Figma variables and optimize component libraries, significantly reducing complexity and enabling faster product design and development.
In leading the Figma implementation strategy for Carbon for IBM Products, I focused on several key areas:
Component Optimization
My team and I worked to streamline the Figma components by reducing the number of component variants from thousands to hundreds, using Figma variables to introduce flexibility and simplicity into the design system. This optimization reduced clutter and made it significantly easier for designers to find and use the right components without sacrificing functionality.
Introduction of Figma Variables
I led the strategy for implementing Figma variables, which introduced a new level of flexibility in how designers could manage and apply styles and themes. This reduced the need for multiple component variants, simplifying the process while maintaining design integrity across IBM’s wide range of products.
Scaling for Software-Specific Components
As part of the Pattern Asset Library (PAL), the Carbon for IBM Products system required custom components and patterns for unique use cases in App Modernization, Data & AI, IT Automation, and other IBM software domains. I ensured that these components were easy to access and apply, scaling them efficiently across various IBM software products.
Figma Library Efficiency
Beyond component creation, my focus was on improving the efficiency of how designers interacted with the library. This meant creating streamlined workflows that minimized redundancy and simplified component usage, enabling designers to focus on higher-level product decisions.
Training and Mentoring
To ensure smooth adoption of these optimizations, I conducted comprehensive training sessions for design teams across IBM’s product lines. This included upskilling designers on how to effectively use Figma variables and the optimized components, and how to seamlessly integrate them into their product workflows.
One of the key challenges in this project was managing the complexity of IBM’s software product needs across a variety of domains, each requiring unique components and patterns. Balancing this complexity while maintaining the simplicity and usability of the Figma libraries was critical.
Another challenge was the sheer volume of component variants that had accumulated over time. Reducing the number of variants from thousands to hundreds required careful analysis and rethinking of how components were structured. The introduction of Figma variables was pivotal in overcoming this challenge, but it also required extensive collaboration with both designers and developers to ensure the transition was smooth and effective.
Additionally, it was crucial to maintain a balance between flexibility and consistency. The new system needed to support varied use cases without fragmenting the design language, which required meticulous planning and iteration.
Through my leadership, the Carbon for IBM Products Figma Library became a significantly more efficient and user-friendly tool for IBM’s designers. By reducing the number of component variants from thousands to hundreds, we streamlined workflows, cutting down the time it took for designers to find and implement components. The introduction of Figma variables provided flexibility that eliminated the need for excessive component variants, enhancing both design speed and quality.
As a result, IBM product teams saw improved efficiency in their design workflows, reducing time spent managing components and allowing them to focus on more strategic product development tasks. These optimizations directly contributed to faster design iterations and helped IBM teams build software products with greater consistency and at a higher velocity.
The Carbon for IBM Products Figma Library is now a vital asset in the design process across a variety of IBM’s software domains, helping product teams deliver more cohesive and user-centric digital experiences.