Glossary

📘 Design System Glossary

Component - A piece of your interface that you can reuse. Like a light switch in your house.

Design Token - Nicknames for your design decisions.

Component Library - A box full of your favorite pieces. When you need something, just reach in and grab it.

UI (User Interface) - The things people click, tap, and type into. Like the dashboard of a car.

UX (User Experience) - How it feels to use your thing. Like a door that opens the way you expect.

Atomic Design - Start with tiny bits, then merge.

Figma - A digital whiteboard where everyone can draw together.

Handoff - When designers give their work to developers, with clear instructions.

Documentation - A cookbook that explains how everything works.

Accessibility - Making sure everyone can use it, no matter their situation.

Version Control - Like saving different drafts of your work, so you can go back if needed.

Prototyping - Building a rough version to test your ideas. Like sketching before painting.

Responsive Design - Your design adjusts to fit any screen.

Grid System - Invisible lines that help keep everything tidy.

Branding - The personality of your product. What makes people recognize it's yours.

Technical Debt - The price you pay later for taking shortcuts now.

Scalability - Building something that can grow without breaking.

Consistency - When everything works the same way everywhere.

Modularity - Building with pieces that snap together like Lego.

Style Dictionary - Turns your design choices into code that developers can use.

Usability Testing - Watching real people use your thing to see where they get stuck.

Governance - Rules to keep everything running smoothly.

Onboarding - Teaching new people how to use your system quickly.

Framework - Pre-built pieces that give you a head start.

Adaptability - How well your system handles change.

Cross-Platform - Works everywhere: phones, computers, tablets.

Visual Hierarchy - Arranging things so the important stuff catches your eye first.