Thoughts to consider when pursuing a career in design systems

A primer, set of cautions to consider, and a real look at what it’s like to be a dedicated design systems practitioner.

1. There aren’t many other disciplines (at this particular point in time) that REQUIRE a mixed-elevation perspective.
2. Systems thinking and concepts aren’t new (like, at all), but a formalized discipline that’s recognized across industries and verticals IS.
3. The community isn’t large enough yet to have hit the toxicity inflection point.
4. Our “customers” are our coworkers! 
5. Design systems work is “education” work.
6. Leadership usually understands the value conceptually, but sometimes it can be hard to track. 
7. DS work is long-game work — and the ”building the plane while flying it” metaphor is all too real.
8. It’s almost never enough; and the system is never “done.”
9. To be a design systems practitioner is to be a builder, communicator, and educator.

My article provides a real, honest look at what it’s like to do ~this job~ having worked at 3 orgs across 4 systems. A lot of content out there is about the tools or processes, but there aren’t many about the career path itself; my article intends to address ~those~ aspects for new and current practitioners.