Notes From
Inside the
System
Essays on design systems, semantic tokens, governance, and the craft of product design.
The Architecture of Semantic Tokens
From a colour value to an interface decision: a real token alias, a worked role mapping, and a migration checklist.
Bridging the Gap: Designers Who Code
How the art collection’s image sizing, complete compositions and inspection behaviour make design decisions visible in code.
Systems Governance
One shared image viewer, two legitimate requirements: a practical example of governing an exception without duplicating the system.
Measuring Success
Define the denominator, measure a bounded change and keep the conclusion honest—with an actual image-response comparison from this portfolio.
The Death of the Static Mockup
Keep the visual frame, then specify what happens next. Try one preview across idle, loading, interrupted and ready states.
Type Systems
Set real interface copy in original Oasis Geometric, compare spacing and assign type roles that survive a narrow screen.