Design Language Systems (DLS) are the foundation of consistent, scalable, and impactful design and brand strategies. With deep expertise in both building DLS from the ground up and guiding global design teams, I played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of comprehensive systems for leading brands such as Honeywell and Grohe.
HONEYWELL DLS
Between 2015 and 2018 I was a part of a global DLS team in charged to rebuild the existing design language, based on a new, customer centred approach.
The Challenge
An international corporation with multiple business units, Honeywell needed a well-documented and extensible system to ensure consistency across its organization while also improving the end-user experience.
To re-build the Design Language system from the ground up and introduce it gradually to such a vast corporation was, arguably, one of the biggest design challenges I've ever had. Thousands of variables had to be taken in consideration and tested across five continents.
Our Approach
Working closely with each product team, we defined a global design language for all of Honeywell’s software, redesigning a number of “hero” applications from Honeywell’s major business groups.
Abstracting those designs and learnings, we determined the content needs and organization for a system that would speak to both product and marketing groups.
After the completion of the Discovery phase three building blocks emerged as main structural elements for the future system: 1. Principals, 2. Components and 3. Patterns.
1 Principals
The first chapter outlines Honeywell’s core principles for structuring both Template UI and Software UI. It presents the strategic foundation that distinguishes primary from secondary information, ensuring seamless and intuitive navigation for the user. The chapter outlines all the principals of Brand, Typography, Layout, Guidelines and Animation.
2 Components
Buttons, controls and text fields are the building blocks for creating software and websites. Lists and tablets display complex information in a concise format that is easy to read, and which enables the User to take appropriate action.
3 Patterns
Patterns are the combination of Components following the Principals. Articles, Data visualisation and treatment of Images, Videos, Launch icons, Login and Splash pages, Maps as well as Tone of voice and Legal text layouts are described in this chapter. Consistency patterns insure continuity across all Honeywell digital products.
The Outcome
Like any well-designed system, we created a set of modular layouts and controls that could easily be shared and leveraged across Honeywell’s business. Our design language contained everything from design tokens, such as colors and typography, to foundational UI components, while also providing templates for websites, emails, and marketing collateral.
The new design system allows Honeywell’s teams to quickly design and build everything from complex interfaces to robust communication materials, while also providing a common platform that can continue to evolve with the company.
Enablement
To house the system, we created an online design center, providing a central repository for Honeywell’s design and engineering teams. The site includes detailed content and interface requirements while also outlining the rules and guidelines underlying the design system.
The design center serves as a central repository, providing the foundation for all of Honeywell’s branding, communications, interfaces, and software.
GROHE DLS
In 2018 I led a core team of four designers and a number of external members as part of an extended team into the building of the Digital DLS of Grohe.
The Challenge
The biggest challenge was the complete absence of a Digital Product Design Language. We had to start from scratch, navigating uncharted territory to build a digital DLS from the ground up. This effort was essential in supporting the launch of newly introduced digital products and played a pivotal role in driving the digital transformation of a traditionally analog, legacy-focused organization.
Our Approach
The approach was the same as for the Honeywell DLS. After the completion of the Discovery phase, based on our specific for GROHE findings, we concentrated on shaping the three building blocks - Principals, Components and the combination of them - the Patterns.
1 Principals
The first chapter describes all the Information Architecture, Navigation, Layout and Animation principals.
Our scope was to build the foundation for a well-defined Design Language that will ensure design teams will deliver consistent and coherent results, no matter who works on the project. Consistency was a key here.
2 Components
The Atomic Design classic categories and sub-category elements are also the building blocks of the GROHE Digital Design Language strategy.
An extensive library of digital objects was created, including icons, colours, fonts, illustrations, imagery, interaction and data visualisation elements.
3 Patterns
Patterns for data visualisation and treatment of Images, Articles, Videos, Login and Splash pages are described in this chapter. Consistency patterns, based on the Principals, insure continuity across all GROHE digital products.
The Outcome
The design language system touched every part of GROHE digital and analogue product space. This divergent content included animation, data visualization, navigation, e-commerce, search, typography, layouts, mapping, and more.
With an emphasis on accessibility, we ensured a consistent user experience across all of Honeywell’s products and services.
Enablement
As part of the LIXIL family, GROHE led the development of a global online design space, created to be accessible and valuable for all LIXIL teams worldwide. While the platform serves the entire organization, its structure was conceived and built by our GROHE team, who also took ownership of the Global Design Language System.
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