Design Systems have become a modern framework commonly used in designing digital business products. But what if SALT could offer a solution that goes far beyond that?
Introducing "Twilight", a comprehensive design system solution from SALT that can accelerate the creation of digital products (platforms) in just minutes—from the initial design phase to product development.
So, what exactly is the Twilight Design System framework? Let’s dive into the details in this article!
What is Twilight Design System?
In our previous article, we discussed how a Design System is a set of standards and guidelines used to manage design consistency throughout a product's development.
Twilight Design System, however, is an Innovative Framework introduced by SALT as a comprehensive and modular solution, specifically designed for organizations that aim to streamline their design processes and make their development workflows more efficient.
Built with the core concept of "Digital Product Experience Design," Twilight leverages a Token-based Design System approach that enables businesses to develop digital products much faster than common design systems.
This system's main focus is flexibility, scalability, and ease of use throughout all stages of design and product development, whether for small projects or large enterprise applications.
Twilight is not just a typical visual guide; it also includes functional components with clear interactions, all while adhering to global WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). For example, we ensure that the entire website meets AA-level Compliance and AAA-level Color contrast standards with a minimum ratio of 7:1.
With Twilight's adoption, design and development teams can work more efficiently, reduce communication overhead, and improve overall user quality while adhering to the highest standards in digital product development.
The Principles of Twilight Design System
The principles behind Twilight are built on three key pillars:
a) Simplicity
Twilight is designed to make it easy for any team to understand and implement design principles without requiring complex technical training.
The system provides ready-to-use foundational components that can be immediately applied, reducing the time needed to create design elements from scratch.
b) Scalability
One of the biggest challenges in product development is creating design solutions that can adapt to the growth of a project.
Twilight facilitates the development process from initial prototypes to more complex applications. Whether it’s for a rapidly growing startup or a large enterprise with multiple teams and projects, Twilight ensures that every design element remains consistent and scalable without limitations.
c) Inclusive, Yet Accessible
In the design world, it’s essential to ensure user interfaces are accessible to all, including those with physical or sensory impairments.
That’s why Twilight prioritizes not just aesthetics but also accessibility, integrating inclusive design principles to ensure that every user can interact comfortably with the interface.
Target Audience for Twilight Design System
We believe Twilight is ideal for organizations of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
For Startups, Twilight provides the advantage of a clear structure, allowing small teams to work more efficiently and stay organized from the get-go.
For Large Enterprises, which often have multiple teams and large-scale projects, Twilight enables seamless team integration and the creation of a cohesive design ecosystem, even as projects evolve and change.
Why the Twilight Design System Matters
Among the many benefits gained by adopting Twilight by SALT, here are three key reasons why a design system is so crucial:
a. Consistency in Team Collaboration
By adopting Twilight, design and development can flow more smoothly across teams, reducing the potential for visual or functional inconsistencies between different parts of an app or website. This ensures that users experience a consistent and professional interface throughout the platform.
b. Scalability for Growing Projects
In large, evolving projects, Twilight allows the addition of new elements without disrupting the existing design structure. Pre-built components can be easily adjusted and reused, boosting efficiency as business needs change.
c. Accelerating Development with a Lighter Cognitive Load
Twilight's reusable components, along with clear documentation on their usage, help teams reduce development time. This also lightens the team's cognitive load, as they don’t need to focus on small details that have already been standardized.
Steps to Adopt Twilight in Team Workflow
Before diving into the steps of adopting Twilight, there are three key features of a design system that must be in place first:
- Modular Components, are ready-to-use components that can be customized for different projects.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility, ensures the system works seamlessly on the web, mobile, and desktop.
- Visual and Interaction Guidelines, to maintain consistency and provide an optimal user experience, ensuring interactions with the interface feel intuitive and efficient.
Next, adopting the Twilight Design System into your team’s workflow should be approached systematically. Here are the 4 key steps to follow:
- Define Design Needs and Priorities
Start by assessing which areas of your project would benefit the most from Twilight. Consider which design elements are used most frequently and determine if Twilight can simplify their implementation across all platforms. - Set Up the Twilight Design System
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:- Build a Component Library, a collection of reusable design elements such as buttons, forms, navigation, and more.
- Create a Style Guide, including typography, sizes, color schemes, and other brand guidelines.
- Document the Process, by saving all assets and guidelines in a centralized repository for easy access and consistency.
- Train Your Team on Twilight System
Proper training is essential to ensure all team members, designers and developers understand how Twilight works and how to maximize its use in their daily tasks. - Gradually Integrate Twilight
Adoption doesn’t have to happen overnight. Start with smaller projects or sections of a more extensive application, then gradually scale the use of Twilight to a broader design system as you get more comfortable. - Follow Other Best Practices
Some ongoing practices for maintaining Twilight Design System include:- Version Control
- Feedback Loops
- Periodic Audits
- Collaboration Adjustment
Adopting Twilight requires tools and resources to support the process. The good news is that Twilight can be integrated with popular design tools like Figma, Sketch, and Storybook, making the transition seamless for teams already using these platforms.
You can maintain your familiar workflow while introducing a more efficient design system.
Overcoming Challenges in Implementing a Design System
In general, there are two key challenges businesses face when implementing Twilight into their system:
- Resistance to Change
One of the main challenges when adopting a new design system is resistance to change, especially from the team. It’s crucial to highlight the real benefits of using Twilight, such as improved efficiency, consistency, and a better overall user experience. - Initial Integration Hurdles
The initial integration phase often brings technical issues or incompatibilities with existing systems. The best solution is to run pilot tests to identify and address potential problems before a full-scale implementation.
A Brief Case Study of Twilight Implementation
In the context of Twilight Design System, the utility-first approach can be seen as the design system itself.
This framework provides a set of pre-defined classes for creating consistent designs, and the configuration files allow developers to customize the design system to meet their specific needs.
This flexibility ensures that a consistent and scalable design can be maintained whether you're working on a small startup project or a large enterprise application.
In conclusion, the Twilight Design System is not just a theoretical concept but has been successfully applied across SALT's client platforms to create exceptional user experiences.
As a case study, one of SALT's clients in the Financial Services Industry (FSI), Pegadaian, successfully implemented Twilight to develop their website platform in just minutes, using a token-based system approach.
This development extended across multiple platform channels, including the main domain (Pegadaian.co.id), supporting domain (Sahabatpegadaian.co.id), microsite (Digital Service), and other landing pages, while maintaining consistency—even when scaling the platform.
Questions about Twilight Design System
a. What is the Twilight Design System Introduced by SALT?
Twilight Design System is an innovative design framework developed by SALT to help companies create more structured and consistent user experiences, while streamlining the development process without compromising on results or quality.
b. Why Does the Twilight Design System Matter?
There are three main reasons why Twilight is so important and a true game-changer in the design and development of digital products: Consistency in Team Collaboration, Scalability for Growing Projects, and Faster Development with a Lighter Cognitive Load.
c. What Industries will Benefit the Most from the Implementation of Twilight Design System?
Twilight will be highly beneficial for businesses and industries that rely on technology, such as e-commerce, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), e-learning, and more. It is also ideal for startups and large enterprises with multiple teams and rapidly growing projects.
d. Is Twilight Suitable for Startups?
Yes, Twilight is an excellent choice for startups looking to build a structured design system quickly, without sacrificing flexibility or scalability.
e. What's the Best Way to Measure Twilight's Success?
Success can be measured by how consistent and efficient the team’s workflow becomes, the speed at which projects are executed, and how the design system enhances the user experience across various platforms.
Key Takeaways
Twilight Design System is an innovative solution by SALT, designed to help businesses create consistent and structured user experiences at any scale.
With core principles such as simplicity, scalability, and inclusivity, Twilight enables teams to work more efficiently and stay organized. It speeds up the design and development cycle without compromising quality, making it an ideal choice for various types of projects, from startups to large enterprises.
By adopting Twilight, your company will not only gain a more efficient design system but also deliver exceptional user experiences across platforms, thanks to its superior quality.
As a Technology Developer & System Integrator, SALT can be your strategic partner in implementing the best and most relevant Design System aligned with your business goals.
Let’s explore the range of services offered by SALT and start your transformation journey with us by clicking the banner below!
