Component Library Consolidation
Unifying 4 fragmented design libraries into a single source of truth for 50 designers across web, iOS, Android, and email platforms.
The Challenge
When I joined the design systems team, I inherited a fragmented landscape: 4 separate component libraries had evolved independently across different product teams. Each library had its own naming conventions, design patterns, and levels of documentation.
This fragmentation created real problems: designers were duplicating work, inconsistencies crept into the product experience, and developers struggled to know which components to use. The lack of a single source of truth was slowing everyone down.
The Approach
Rather than starting from scratch, I took an audit-first approach. I mapped every component across all 4 libraries, identifying overlaps, gaps, and inconsistencies. This revealed that we had over 200 components, but many were variations of the same patterns.
The audit revealed 200+ components could be consolidated into just 50 core components—a 75% reduction in complexity.
Component Audit
Catalogued every component across all 4 libraries, documenting usage patterns, variants, and dependencies.
Pattern Analysis
Identified common patterns and grouped similar components, revealing opportunities for consolidation.
Stakeholder Alignment
Worked with product teams to understand their specific needs and ensure the consolidated library would serve everyone.
Phased Migration
Created a migration plan that allowed teams to adopt the new library incrementally without disrupting active projects.
The Outcome
The consolidated library now serves as the single source of truth for 50+ designers across the organisation. Key outcomes include:
- 75% reduction in component duplication
- Consistent experience across web, iOS, Android, and email
- Faster design-to-development handoff with shared component language
- Active contribution model with ongoing community involvement