Bridging Design and Development: The New Design System at RT
During my two years at Rakuten Travel, I led the creation of a comprehensive design system and spearheaded the redesign of the domestic app. The goal was to establish consistency, improve collaboration between design and development teams, and overcome challenges tied to long-standing user interface familiarity. By emphasizing a non-boastful tone, I aim to share these achievements to demonstrate my approach to thoughtful, strategic design in the articles I plan to write.
In my role at Rakuten Travel, I initiated a new design system while redesigning the domestic app, collaborating closely with both iOS and Android developers. We began by identifying existing UI components, focusing on essential elements like buttons and text fields. By integrating comprehensive documentation directly within Figma, I ensured that designers and developers could easily reference guidelines for using each component. Regular feedback sessions with the development team helped address usability and technical feasibility, enabling us to maintain a design that was ninety percent similar across both platforms.
As we implemented the design system, I emphasized the importance of reusing components to foster consistency and efficiency. This shift required educating the team about the value of the design system, encouraging creativity in problem-solving rather than in UI component creation. Over time, designers became more aware of how to utilize the system effectively, resulting in fewer unnecessary components and a more cohesive user experience. The positive reception from both the digital development and business departments underscored the benefits of aligning with brand guidelines, leading to a refreshed look for the app expected to launch in March.