Type
Talk
Timing
- 10:15 - 11:00
Design system rollercoaster: from enabler and bottleneck to catalyst for change
Design systems have become an integral part of product-driven organizations, promising consistency, efficiency, and improved collaboration. Yet embarking on this journey is a rollercoaster ride for the entire organization, not to mention the team that runs it.
What makes it so challenging is the fact that design systems manifest themselves differently in every organization beyond the well-crafted UI inventory or tech stack — revealing the true culture within teams, and amplifying their communication and collaboration patterns for better or worse.
In this talk we’ll learn how to leverage design systems’ ability to bridge organizational silos and foster a common language. As an experienced design systems leader I will share practical insights from my own journey on how to manage a design system that adds tangible value to the organization and initiates positive and transformative changes in our approach to collaboration, design, development, and UX — so we can focus on manifesting value and thrive along the way.
Nina is a seasoned multidisciplinary designer and product design leader with over a decade in building apps, brands, complex B2B platforms, design systems and stellar teams.
With degrees in information science and art, Nina went from designing interfaces and experiences to leading teams, managing change, and designing collaboration.
She works as Principal Product Designer at Zalando, where she helps shape the strategy and experience vision of ZEOS, a new B2B logistics solution, and oversees its design system.
Previously, she consulted Zalando and other clients on DesignOps and Design Systems, and kicked off Led by Design, Berlin-based community for experienced design professionals and leaders focused on strategy, designOps, and CX.
Prior to that, she spent nearly three years at Relayr, where she steered moonshots and future narratives of the predictive maintenance product stack while enabling cross-functional teams to ship 10+ products and projects with the design system.
Nina is on a mission to help organizations to connect the dots between business strategy and exceptional customer-centric outcomes while enabling design teams to thrive and grow. Through her work, speaking, and community engagements she is a passionate advocate for design with a capital D and its critical role in driving sustainable value and fostering cultures of innovation and collaboration. She lives and works in Berlin.