Component-Based Design System Implementation
Enterprise websites accumulate design inconsistencies over time as teams add features, campaigns launch, and editorial needs evolve. A well-implemented design system brings order to this complexity, improving both user experience and editorial efficiency.
We specialize in building component-based design systems for CMS platforms, from Drupal Paragraphs and Layout Builder to WordPress Blocks and headless front-end frameworks. Our systems balance creative flexibility with the guardrails needed to maintain consistency at scale.
Component Audit & Inventory
Systematic review of existing UI patterns to identify inconsistencies, redundancies, and opportunities for consolidation.
Design Token System
Centralized color palettes, typography scales, spacing units, and motion patterns that ensure visual consistency.
Reusable Component Library
Production-ready components with accessibility built in, variant support, and clear documentation for editorial teams.
CMS Integration
Platform-native implementation using Paragraphs, Blocks, ACF, or custom field systems that editors can use confidently.
Documentation & Governance
Living style guides, usage guidelines, and contribution workflows that keep your system maintainable as it evolves.
Developer Handoff Tools
Code snippets, API documentation, and integration examples that help developers extend the system correctly.
Our design system approach
Discovery & component inventory
We begin by auditing your existing website to catalog every unique UI pattern, component variation, and content layout. This inventory reveals duplication, naming inconsistencies, and opportunities to consolidate similar patterns. Understanding what you have today informs what your system should include tomorrow.
Design token foundation
Strong design systems start with foundational design tokens, the atomic values that define colors, typography, spacing, elevation, and motion. We implement these tokens as CSS custom properties or platform-specific configuration, ensuring changes cascade consistently across all components. This foundation makes future redesigns significantly easier.
Component library development
We build a library of reusable components following atomic design principles, starting with basic atoms and molecules, then composing them into organisms and templates. Each component includes accessibility features (ARIA labels, keyboard navigation, focus management), responsive behavior, and variant options. Components are tested across devices and assistive technologies.
CMS integration & editorial experience
Design systems only work if editors can use them confidently. We integrate components into your CMS using native tools, Drupal Paragraphs or Layout Builder, WordPress Blocks or ACF, or custom field builders for headless setups. Editorial interfaces include helpful previews, validation rules, and clear instructions. Editors compose pages from components without needing developer assistance.
Documentation & governance
A living style guide documents when to use each component, available variants, accessibility considerations, and implementation examples. We establish governance processes for proposing new components, deprecating old patterns, and maintaining the system over time. Clear ownership and contribution guidelines prevent the system from fragmenting as your team grows.
Why design systems matter for CMS platforms
Editorial teams gain confidence , When every page is composed from tested, approved components, editors can create new content without worrying about breaking layouts or introducing accessibility issues.
Maintenance costs decrease , Centralizing UI patterns means updates happen in one place rather than scattered across templates. A single component fix improves every instance site-wide.
Design consistency improves , Users experience a cohesive brand regardless of which team member created a page or when it was published. Inconsistencies that confuse visitors and dilute brand identity are eliminated.
Accessibility becomes systematic , Building accessibility into components once ensures every page meets WCAG standards. Retrofitting accessibility is expensive; designing for it from the start is efficient.
Development velocity increases , New features are built by composing existing components rather than creating custom one-offs. Developers spend less time reinventing patterns and more time solving unique problems.
Platform-specific expertise
Drupal , We implement design systems using Paragraphs, Layout Builder, or custom entity types, with Twig templates, CSS custom properties, and pattern libraries for developer handoff.
WordPress , Our systems leverage Block Editor (Gutenberg), Advanced Custom Fields, or custom post types with modern JavaScript frameworks for interactive components.
Headless CMS , For decoupled architectures, we build component libraries in React, Vue, or Next.js that consume structured content from Contentful, Sanity, or other headless platforms.
Ready to start your project?
Let's discuss how we can help modernize your web presence and deliver measurable results for your organization.