Blog
Thinking on design systems.
Not about features. Not about competitors. About the problems teams face keeping design and code in sync, and where things are heading.
2026-05-25
The W3C design token format changes what a token actually is
The W3C token format is more than a file spec. It defines what a token is, and that changes how every tool in your pipeline works.
2026-04-20
Component APIs are contracts, not configurations
When a component's props change, every consumer pays the cost. Why treating the API as a published contract changes how design systems teams make decisions.
2026-04-13
Figma Variables are a token graph, not a list
Figma Variables look like a flat list. Your token system has layers. How to model semantic aliasing with collections and modes.
2026-04-07
The semantic layer is the hard part
Why the mapping between base and semantic tokens is where design system strategy lives, and why getting it wrong costs you at every rebrand.
2026-04-03
Token naming conventions and namespace strategy
How to structure token names before you start building — namespace tiers, base vs semantic tokens, and why your naming choices become the CSS variable names every consumer app depends on.
2026-03-17
Design Token Versioning Strategies
How to version design tokens without breaking your consumers: semantic versioning, breaking vs non-breaking changes, and practical migration strategies.