Design tokens explained (and how to build a design token system)

Design-driven companies drive 32% more revenue growth over five years than those that don't prioritize design, and yet many organizations struggle to implement effective design systems. Design tokens are a critical element of every successful design system, serving as a centralized repository where design decisions are curated and disseminated across various platforms. A basic token system can be built by defining primitive tokens, such as primary brand colors, and semantic tokens that capture guidance on how to apply these colors effectively. Semantic tokens provide clear guidance on how to use the palette, reducing ambiguity and formally capturing more design decisions. By structuring a simple two-dimensional grid for organizing design tokens, designers can make informed decisions and enhance their communication. The system also introduces modes, collections, and themes, which allow for flexibility and adaptability in design systems. With advancements in design tools and artificial intelligence, building robust and workable token systems is becoming increasingly feasible, and AI is poised to transform how design systems are built by making inferences from large data sets and amplifying the foundational structures provided.

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