8 best ways to define component spacing in a design system

The article delves into the often-overlooked aspect of spacing within design systems, emphasizing the significance of a spatial system to ensure consistency and enhance user experience. It explores various spatial systems such as the 4-point and 8-point grid systems, the simple grid system, and the Flexbox grid system, each based on different increments and layout principles. The discussion extends to the criteria for selecting a spatial system, including user needs, adaptability, responsiveness, and strictness, while comparing measurement units like em, rem, and pixels. With practical examples, the article illustrates how to apply these systems in web design, focusing on elements such as margins, paddings, borders, line heights, and shadows, particularly using the 8-point grid system. Best practices for defining component spacing are highlighted, such as creating wireframes, using Gestalt principles, setting base numbers, scaling with fixed increments, naming dimensions for reuse, and organizing content hierarchically, all aimed at optimizing design outcomes.