Design systems don’t work unless they talk to content models

Design systems and content models are changing UX practices. Design operations are moving away from creating screen-specific designs toward building and using repeatable systems. Increasingly, content and design are developed and managed independently of each other. There are now two systems influencing the user experience. These developments are changing the nature of information architecture.

These systems enable greater flexibility, supporting multichannel experiences, for example. But systems also present challenges.

Putting these systems into practice can be messy. Design systems and content models may develop in different directions, creating a gap between them. They can become uncoordinated and fail to realize their full benefits. They aren’t prepared to work together so they can handle any situation.

The talk will help teams learn how to overcome the growing pains associated with developing experiences using content models in conjunction with design systems. The discussion will focus practicalities of coordinating content and design initiatives, so they support user goals.

You’ll learn about common weaknesses in existing content models and design systems and how to diagnose gaps where design systems aren’t talking to content models. And you’ll discover how IAs can use their knowledge of structure relating to content and design to foster dialogs between content and design teams. With this knowledge, you will know how to strengthen and improve design systems and content models so they can do more and work better together.