Approach
I reorganised the design layer into a governed platform system built around compositional logic rather than page-level thinking.
Using Atomic Design principles, the library was formalised into atoms, molecules, organisms and modular page assemblies. This replaced fragmented layouts with structured building blocks and ensured that visual and behavioural changes cascaded predictably across implementations.
Workflow alignment was equally important. Static exports were replaced with a live inspection workflow that allowed offshore developers to extract CSS values, assets and grid specifications directly from source files. This reduced translation errors and shortened feedback loops between design and engineering.
Additionally, I also explored Git-based version control for the Sketch library via BitBucket in an attempt to introduce development-style discipline into the design workflow. Although this wasn’t ultimately workable due to the limitations of binary design files, it clarified the need for stronger structural governance and version clarity within the design system.
Alongside structural changes, I owned the validation loop between brand ambition and AEM capability. Proposed components were tested against real brand use cases and technical constraints before being promoted into the shared library. Documentation was expanded to describe configuration logic and functional boundaries, giving brands and partner agencies a clear reference point for the ‘catalogue’ of modules.
