OakNorth Design System
Scalable Design System Development
In this project, I led the development of OakNorth's design system in collaboration with engineering. This involved crafting a cohesive product design strategy that included theme tokens, standardising a component library, and ensuring seamless integration across business areas such as product, operations, and internal tools. I developed an H1 and H2 tactical plan for the rollout through 2024 and 2025. Additionally, I established a comprehensive design library in Figma, focusing on colours, graphics, system icons, grids, and various UI components such as buttons, toggles, checkboxes, lists, badges, alerts, snackbars, and navigations.
October 2024 Product Design Director, Hands-on Designer – OakNorth, London
UX/UI Methodologies & Techniques:
Specific component UX research / UI design / QA of implementation / Style Guide / Pattern library / UI Inventory / UX Audit
Software:
The challenge
The main challenge stemmed from the need to create a design system following a major rebrand. Previously, the business operated with a design team of one, meaning there was no centralised system in place. As a result, products across the business relied on custom-built components that were outdated and inconsistent. This lack of standardisation made updates time-consuming and complicated, creating inefficiencies and discrepancies in user experience. The challenge was not only to establish a unified design system but to ensure it could scale effectively across diverse business areas, integrate seamlessly with existing products, and enable consistent, cohesive, and future-ready design.
Documentation
Storybook
Quotes
“I wholeheartedly recommend Annari for her exceptional leadership and expertise in UI design. She has been instrumental in spearheading the rebranding efforts of our entire bank, showcasing a remarkable blend of visionary leadership and hands-on design prowess.
She stands out as a great leader who not only guides her team with clarity and purpose but also actively contributes to the design process, rolling up her sleeves to ensure the highest standards are met. This hands-on approach fosters a culture of collaboration and excellence within her team.
What truly sets Annari apart is her deep understanding of the domain. By immersing herself in the intricacies of our industry, she is able to empathize with the challenges our customers face, allowing her to craft designs that not only meet aesthetic standards but also address real-world problems effectively.
In summary, Annari is a rare talent who possesses the leadership acumen, design expertise, and domain knowledge necessary to drive impactful change. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel and inspire others.”
“Having worked with Annari in two different companies for six years, it will be hard to find and match such a creative, forward-thinking, rounded designer. Annari covers equally brilliantly brand strategy and positioning, product design as well as creative advertising, all whilst leading and motivating her teams to deliver at pace.”