CASE STUDY

Design system development that led to:

⚡ 0→1 build in 4 months and a foundation for design–dev collaboration

💸 $2.2M in annual revenue and early deal prototype capture

🔧 1-week brand sprint creating a flexible, rebrand-ready identity

The Opportunities

Our first mobile design system was shaped by three signals:

  • 💼 Clients + sales wanted an all-in-one solution to speed up the cycle

  • 📱 Market trends pointed to mobile-first mentorship tools

  • 👥 User interviews showed a strong preference for mobile’s ease + privacy

We translated those research signals into the foundations of a scalable design system and app.

The Challenges

  • ⚡ Speed was critical: we were losing deals to mobile-ready competitors

  • 🎨 Branding was evolving fast, so the app had to stay flexible

  • 🛠️ True 0→1 build: new system, handoff process, and product from scratch

The Scope

🎨 Role: IC + Component Lead

⏳ Timeline: 4 months

🤝 Team: PMs, Engineering, Design

📦 What I Shipped: components, spec process, token updates, prototypes

🔑 Focus: variants, branding consistency, Figma library management

The Design System Foundation

A design systems specialist helped us lay the groundwork and taught us the art of scalable systems. We focused on:

  • Staying flexible while keeping things consistent, since the brand direction was still evolving.

  • Building only essential components to support real features and avoid overlap or bloat.

  • Syncing with dev early to scope what we could realistically ship on time.

A Scalable Blueprint

We modernized features from our existing product line, filled gaps with competitive insights, and built a new system that I organized using atomic design principles.

The Component Handoff

Handoffs included detailed specs, accessibility notes, and a scaling system to avoid disrupting dev. This component addressed user needs for clarity, supporting diverse media to help tie new features back to the core service.

The Main Takeaways

Design with the Voice in Mind

Thinking about the app’s voice early helps shape component design (and ensure it’s accessible!). We had to revise elements mid-process, but once aligned, it sped up execution and strengthened the product’s identity.

Validate Feasibility Early 

Building with only PMs can lead to rework. Looping in engineering sooner prevents roadblocks and ensures feasibility.

Track changes Post-handoff

When iterating fast, additions are inevitable. Establish a way to track updates and avoid outdated or confusing builds.

The Key Impacts

1-week Brand Sprint, Fully Integrated
We locked in a flexible visual identity in just one week, future-proofed for change, and built for consistency.

4-month System Build = Ready-to-sell Product
Our new design system powered a working prototype fast, helping marketing and sales land early deals.

$2.2M in New Revenue and Growing
With a full-cycle product in hand, the team closed $2.2M last year. And, it’s still picking up steam!

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