Instead of hardcoded values, design tokens act as a single source of truth, making it easier to maintain visual and functional consistency across an entire product ecosystem. Tokens help bridge the gap between design and development, enabling seamless updates without the need for manual adjustments in multiple places.
This section provides guidelines for implementing a scalable, flexible, and future-proof token system.
Types of Design Tokens
A well-structured token system categorizes values based on their role in the design system. Common token types include:
Color Tokens: Define primary, secondary, and semantic colors (e.g., success, warning, error).
Typography Tokens: Standardize font families, sizes, weights, and line heights.
Spacing Tokens: Establish consistent padding, margins, and layout spacing.
Shadow & Elevation Tokens: Ensure depth and hierarchy remain uniform across UI elements.
Border Radius Tokens: Control rounding of corners for a cohesive visual language.
By adopting design tokens, teams can scale efficiently, ensure brand consistency, and streamline both design and development workflows—making UI updates faster and more reliable.