Most startups skip the design system at the beginning. Then the product grows, screens multiply, and every update takes twice as long because nothing is connected. Colors don't match, spacing is inconsistent, and developers have to guess how things should look.

I create token-based design systems in Figma using a Three-Tier Token Structure. This means your colors, typography, spacing, and components are organized in three layers: global tokens, alias tokens, and component tokens. One change at the top updates everything below it. No manual fixes across dozens of screens.

I follow the Double Diamond process. First, I audit what you have (or define what you need if starting from scratch). I look at your product, identify inconsistencies, and map out what the system should cover. Once this is clear, I move to building the system.

Design system audit (for existing products) or requirements definition (for new ones)

Three-Tier Token Structure setup (global, alias, component tokens)

Reusable components with all necessary states (default, hover, active, disabled, error)

Typography and color scales connected to tokens

Spacing and layout guidelines

Documentation for your dev team on how tokens map to code variables

Async updates on progress (Slack, Loom, or email)

Revisions until you are happy with the result

Founders building a new product who want a solid design foundation from day one

Startups with an existing product that grew faster than their design files

Teams where every UI update takes too long because nothing is connected