The Trade Desk
Designing a Scalable Design System
Designing a Scalable Design System
Designing a Scalable Design System
The Trade Desk, a leading AdTech platform, reached a critical juncture in its growth: its platform had proven successful and viable, but its interface design lacked consistency and scalability. I was brought in to define and deploy a design system that would establish visual and functional coherence across the platform’s vast range of features while supporting future growth.
The Trade Desk, a leading AdTech platform, reached a critical juncture in its growth: its platform had proven successful and viable, but its interface design lacked consistency and scalability. I was brought in to define and deploy a design system that would establish visual and functional coherence across the platform’s vast range of features while supporting future growth.
Challenge
Challenge
Challenge
Inconsistent Design Language
The platform's existing interface was built iteratively, leading to fragmented visual styles and interaction patterns.
Inconsistent Design Language
The platform's existing interface was built iteratively, leading to fragmented visual styles and interaction patterns.
Inconsistent Design Language
The platform's existing interface was built iteratively, leading to fragmented visual styles and interaction patterns.
Developer & Designer Disconnect
Collaboration between teams was slowed by the absence of shared standards and guidelines.
Developer & Designer Disconnect
Collaboration between teams was slowed by the absence of shared standards and guidelines.
Developer & Designer Disconnect
Collaboration between teams was slowed by the absence of shared standards and guidelines.
Scalability Issues
Without a unified design system, introducing new features or components was inefficient and prone to errors.
Scalability Issues
Without a unified design system, introducing new features or components was inefficient and prone to errors.
Scalability Issues
Without a unified design system, introducing new features or components was inefficient and prone to errors.
Solution
Solution
Design System Foundation
I created a centralized design system providing a single source of truth for designers and developers. This included comprehensive style guides, reusable components, and documentation.
Design System Foundation
I created a centralized design system providing a single source of truth for designers and developers. This included comprehensive style guides, reusable components, and documentation.
Collaboration-Driven Approach
Partnering closely with cross-functional teams, we ensured the system addressed user needs, design goals, and technical constraints.
Collaboration-Driven Approach
Partnering closely with cross-functional teams, we ensured the system addressed user needs, design goals, and technical constraints.
Elevated Design Standards
Identifying best practices from other well-known design frameworks, I crafted a modern, cohesive visual language for The Trade Desk’s platform.
Elevated Design Standards
Identifying best practices from other well-known design frameworks, I crafted a modern, cohesive visual language for The Trade Desk’s platform.
Key Features
Key Features
Key Features
Component Library
A robust library of reusable components, including buttons, menus, cards, and dialogs, designed to support diverse use cases.
Component Library
A robust library of reusable components, including buttons, menus, cards, and dialogs, designed to support diverse use cases.
Component Library
A robust library of reusable components, including buttons, menus, cards, and dialogs, designed to support diverse use cases.
Scalable Styling
Colors, typography, and spacing were systematized, allowing for consistent styling across features while enabling customization for future needs.
Scalable Styling
Colors, typography, and spacing were systematized, allowing for consistent styling across features while enabling customization for future needs.
Scalable Styling
Colors, typography, and spacing were systematized, allowing for consistent styling across features while enabling customization for future needs.
Detailed Documentation
A style guide provided technical specifications, usage examples, and code snippets to bridge the gap between designers and developers.
Detailed Documentation
A style guide provided technical specifications, usage examples, and code snippets to bridge the gap between designers and developers.
Detailed Documentation
A style guide provided technical specifications, usage examples, and code snippets to bridge the gap between designers and developers.
Impact
Impact
Impact
Improved Consistency
The design system ensured that all features adhered to a cohesive visual and interaction standard.
Improved Consistency
The design system ensured that all features adhered to a cohesive visual and interaction standard.
Improved Consistency
The design system ensured that all features adhered to a cohesive visual and interaction standard.
Enhanced User Experience
The refined interface improved usability, creating a seamless and professional experience for The Trade Desk’s clients.
Enhanced User Experience
The refined interface improved usability, creating a seamless and professional experience for The Trade Desk’s clients.
Enhanced User Experience
The refined interface improved usability, creating a seamless and professional experience for The Trade Desk’s clients.
Faster Development Cycles
Developers could rely on pre-built components, reducing implementation time and minimizing errors.
Faster Development Cycles
Developers could rely on pre-built components, reducing implementation time and minimizing errors.
Faster Development Cycles
Developers could rely on pre-built components, reducing implementation time and minimizing errors.
Scalability
The design system’s modular nature supported the platform’s rapid expansion while maintaining design integrity.
Scalability
The design system’s modular nature supported the platform’s rapid expansion while maintaining design integrity.
Scalability
The design system’s modular nature supported the platform’s rapid expansion while maintaining design integrity.
My Role
My Role
My Role
As the design lead. I conducted audits of the existing platform, established the system’s design principles, and led workshops to ensure adoption across teams. I also worked directly with developers to translate design assets into functional components.
As the design lead. I conducted audits of the existing platform, established the system’s design principles, and led workshops to ensure adoption across teams. I also worked directly with developers to translate design assets into functional components.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
This project exemplifies how thoughtful design can transform outdated processes into streamlined, efficient solutions. By combining modern usability principles with familiar tools, the Global Pricing Tool empowered Merck’s global workforce to work smarter and faster.
This project exemplifies how thoughtful design can transform outdated processes into streamlined, efficient solutions. By combining modern usability principles with familiar tools, the Global Pricing Tool empowered Merck’s global workforce to work smarter and faster.
