Vocabulary Words Every Design Systems Specialist Should Know

Design

Definition: A plan or drawing for something.

• He made a beautiful design for the dress.
• The building has a modern design.
• She loves to design clothes.

Design in a sentence

Color

Definition: A property of objects that results from the way they reflect light; a visual perception.

• Her favorite color is blue.
• The drawing has many bright colors.
• He likes to color pictures in his art book.

Color in a sentence

Shape

Definition: The external form or appearance of an object, often defined by its outline.

• The shape of the cookie was round and flat.
• She drew a square shape on the paper.
• Understanding shape is important in geometry.

Shape in a sentence

Line

Definition: A long, narrow mark or a series of people or things arranged in a row.

• Please stand in a line to enter the classroom.
• The line on the paper helps me write straight.
• Draw a line under the correct answer.

Line in a sentence

Space

Definition: The physical universe beyond the earth's atmosphere or an empty area.

• There is a lot of space in this room to play.
• In space, there is no air to breathe.
• We need to keep our workspace clean and organized with enough space.

Space in a sentence

Pattern

Definition: A repeated decorative design or a regular sequence of events.

• The fabric has a beautiful floral pattern on it.
• We noticed a pattern in the way he solved the problems.
• Understanding patterns can help with predicting outcomes.

Pattern in a sentence

Text

Definition: Written words; a message sent electronically.

• Please read the text on the page.
• I will text you later with the details.
• He sent a text to his friend.

Text in a sentence

Image

Definition: A visual representation of something.

• I created an image for my project.
• The image shows a beautiful landscape.
• He likes to take an image of every moment.

Image in a sentence

Size

Definition: The physical dimensions or magnitude of something.

• What size shoes do you wear?
• The size of the cake was perfect for the party.
• I need to measure the size of the box before shipping.

Size in a sentence

Style

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in art or fashion.

• She has a unique style of dressing.
• His writing style is very simple.
• The house was built in a modern style.

Style in a sentence

Tool

Definition: An instrument or device used to perform a task.

• A hammer is a useful tool for building.
• I need a tool to fix my bike.
• He used a tool to cut the wood.

Tool in a sentence

Page

Definition: One side of a sheet of paper in a book or document.

• She turned the page to read the next chapter.
• The page was filled with colorful illustrations.
• Understanding page layout is important for design.

Page in a sentence

Layout

Definition: The way in which something is arranged or organized.

• The layout of the classroom makes it easy to see the board.
• He designed the layout for the new park.
• The website has a clean layout that is easy to navigate.

Layout in a sentence

User

Definition: A person who uses a product or service.

• The app has many users.
• Every user must create an account.
• They conducted a survey for the app users.

User in a sentence

View

Definition: To look at something; a sight or opinion about something.

• I like to view the sunset from my balcony.
• She had a great view of the mountains.
• He shared his view on the topic during class.

View in a sentence

Button

Definition: A small round object used to fasten clothing or as a control on devices.

• He pressed the button to start the machine.
• She sewed a button onto her coat.
• The remote has a button for changing the channels.

Button in a sentence

Icon

Definition: A symbol or representation of something; a famous person.

• The heart is an icon of love.
• He became an icon in the fashion industry.
• The app features an icon that is easy to recognize.

Icon in a sentence

Grid

Definition: A framework of spaced bars that form a pattern; used in maps or systems.

• The city uses a grid system for streets.
• She plotted her data on a grid.
• The grid helps organize the information.

Grid in a sentence

Menu

Definition: A list of food and drink items available in a restaurant.

• I looked at the menu to decide what to order.
• The restaurant has a special menu for holidays.
• She chose a salad from the menu.

Menu in a sentence

Screen

Definition: A flat surface for displaying images or information; to show something.

• The movie will be shown on the big screen.
• He looked at the screen to see his grades.
• She will screen the video during the presentation.

Screen in a sentence

Font

Definition: the style of printed letters

• I changed the font of my document to make it look nicer.
• She prefers a simple font for her presentations.
• The website uses a modern font that is easy to read.

Font in a sentence

Idea

Definition: A thought or suggestion about a possible course of action.

• She had a great idea for the project.
• Can you share your idea with the class?
• His idea was very creative and unique.

Idea in a sentence

Create

Definition: To make something new.

• I want to create a painting.
• She will create a new recipe for dinner.
• They create art in their free time.

Create in a sentence

Plan

Definition: A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something; a strategy or outline.

• They made a plan for their vacation next summer.
• Having a plan helps organize thoughts and actions.
• She wrote a plan for her science project.

Plan in a sentence

Test

Definition: A method of assessing knowledge or skills; an examination.

• She studied hard for the math test next week.
• He passed the driving test on his first try.
• The teacher gave a pop quiz as a test of understanding.

Test in a sentence

Build

Definition: To construct or create something; also refers to developing skills or systems.

• They plan to build a new playground in the park.
• She wants to build her own computer.
• He worked hard to build his confidence.

Build in a sentence

System

Definition: A set of connected things or parts that work together.

• Our school has a new system for tracking grades.
• The solar system has many planets.
• A good study system helps improve learning.

System in a sentence

Component

Definition: A part or element of a larger whole.

• Each component of the machine must work together.
• She learned about the components of a healthy diet.
• Understanding each component is vital for the project.

Component in a sentence

Guide

Definition: To lead or direct someone; a person who provides information or advice.

• The teacher will guide us during the field trip.
• He used a map to guide us through the city.
• She is a guide at the museum.

Guide in a sentence

Interface

Definition: The point where two systems meet and interact; a user-friendly design for software.

• The interface of the app is easy to use.
• He learned how to design a user interface.
• The new interface makes navigation simple.

Interface in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Prototype

Definition: An early model or version of something used for testing.

• They created a prototype for the new toy.
• The prototype helped them improve the design.
• She is working on a prototype for the app.

Prototype in a sentence

Consistency

Definition: The quality of being steady and uniform; harmony of parts.

• She valued consistency in her study habits.
• The cake should have a smooth consistency before baking.
• Consistency in practice leads to improvement.

Consistency in a sentence

Accessibility

Definition: The quality of being easy to reach or use.

• The website improved its accessibility for all users.
• Accessibility is crucial for people with disabilities.
• They focused on accessibility in their new building design.

Accessibility in a sentence

Branding

Definition: The process of creating a unique identity for a product or company; includes logos and messaging.

• Branding helps consumers recognize a product.
• He learned about branding strategies in marketing class.
• Effective branding can lead to customer loyalty.

Branding in a sentence

Typography

Definition: The style and appearance of printed text, including font and layout.

• Good typography makes a text easier to read.
• She learned about typography in her design class.
• Understanding typography enhances visual communication.

Typography in a sentence

Hierarchy

Definition: A system of ranking or organizing people or things according to their importance or status.

• The company has a clear hierarchy of management.
• In a food chain, there is a hierarchy among different species.
• Understanding hierarchy helps in navigating organizational structures.

Hierarchy in a sentence

Navigation

Definition: The act of determining one's position and planning a route.

• The navigation system helped us find our way.
• Good navigation skills are important for sailors.
• She used a map for navigation during the hike.

Navigation in a sentence

Collaboration

Definition: working together to achieve a goal

• The collaboration between students was great.
• They focused on collaboration for the project.
• Her collaboration with the artist produced amazing results.

Collaboration in a sentence

Framework

Definition: A basic structure that supports something.

• The framework of the building is strong.
• We created a framework for our research project.
• Understanding the framework helps in problem-solving.

Framework in a sentence

Functionality

Definition: The range of functions or capabilities of a device or application.

• The new phone has improved functionality compared to the old model.
• Her app's functionality makes it easy to use.
• Understanding functionality is important for users.

Functionality in a sentence

Usability

Definition: The ease of use and effectiveness of a product or system.

• The app was designed with usability in mind.
• Usability testing helps improve user experience.
• He focuses on usability in his web design projects.

Usability in a sentence

Guideline

Definition: A rule or instruction that helps people make decisions.

• The teacher provided guidelines for the project.
• Follow the guideline to stay safe.
• They created a guideline for studying effectively.

Guideline in a sentence

Iteration

Definition: A version or repetition of a process or product; a cycle of improvements.

• The first iteration of the app had many bugs.
• Each iteration brought new features and fixes.
• They completed several iterations before the final release.

Iteration in a sentence

Aesthetic

Definition: Related to beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

• The painting has a unique aesthetic that captivates viewers.
• She studies aesthetic values in art and design.
• Understanding aesthetic principles enhances creativity.

Aesthetic in a sentence

Responsive

Definition: Quick to react or respond; attentive.

• The teacher is very responsive to student questions.
• Her responsive nature makes her a great friend.
• The website is designed to be responsive on all devices.

Responsive in a sentence

Wireframe

Definition: a basic layout of a website or application

• The wireframe shows where elements will be placed.
• She created a wireframe before designing the app.
• A wireframe helps visualize the project structure.

Experience

Definition: Knowledge or skill gained through doing something.

• I gained a lot of experience from my summer job.
• Her experience in cooking helps her make delicious meals.
• Traveling gives you the experience of different cultures.

Experience in a sentence

Interaction

Definition: The act of communicating or working together with others.

• Their interaction during the project was productive.
• She enjoys the interaction with her classmates.
• Positive interaction fosters a good learning environment.

Interaction in a sentence

Visual

Definition: Something related to seeing or sight.

• The book has great visual images.
• She prefers visual learning with pictures.
• The movie had amazing visual effects.

Visual in a sentence

Element

Definition: A basic or fundamental part of something.

• Water is an essential element for life.
• Every element has unique properties.
• The elements of a story include characters and plot.

Element in a sentence

Specification

Definition: A detailed description of requirements or standards.

• The specification outlined what was needed for the project.
• They followed the specification closely during construction.
• Understanding the specification is key for quality.

Specification in a sentence

Documentation

Definition: The act of providing written evidence or records; materials that provide information.

• Proper documentation is important for legal processes.
• She prepared the documentation for the project.
• The documentation helped clarify the procedures.

Documentation in a sentence

Scalability

Definition: The ability of a system to handle growth or increased demand.

• The software has great scalability for future users.
• Scalability is important for business growth.
• They are looking for solutions to improve scalability.

Scalability in a sentence

Performance

Definition: The act of doing something, especially in front of an audience; how well someone does a task.

• The performance of the students was impressive.
• He practiced daily for his music performance.
• Her performance in the play earned her applause.

Performance in a sentence

Design System

Definition: A collection of reusable components and guidelines for consistent design.

• The design system helped streamline the development process.
• They implemented a design system for their brand.
• Understanding design systems enhances efficiency.

Prototyping

Definition: the process of creating a preliminary model of a product

• Prototyping helps test ideas before full production.
• They used prototyping to develop their new app.
• Understanding prototyping is key in product development.

Prototyping in a sentence

Guidelines

Definition: A set of rules or instructions to follow.

• The teacher provided guidelines for the project.
• He followed the guidelines to complete his assignment.
• The guidelines help ensure safety in the lab.

Guidelines in a sentence

Color Palette

Definition: A selection of colors used together in a design.

• The artist chose a bright color palette for her painting.
• Understanding the color palette is essential for graphic design.
• He created a color palette that matched the theme of the project.

Color Palette in a sentence

Interaction Design

Definition: The creation of engaging interfaces for users to interact with technology.

• Interaction design focuses on user experience and usability.
• She studied interaction design for her tech project.
• Understanding interaction design is important for software development.

User Experience

Definition: The overall experience a person has while using a product or service.

• Good user experience is important for apps.
• They focus on user experience to keep customers happy.
• Her goal is to improve the user experience on the website.

Responsive Design

Definition: An approach to web design that makes pages look good on all devices.

• Responsive design ensures a website works on phones and tablets.
• She focused on responsive design for her project.
• Learning responsive design is essential for modern web development.

Style Guide

Definition: A set of standards for writing and design.

• The style guide helps maintain consistency in our reports.
• Every company should have a style guide for its branding.
• We referred to the style guide before publishing the article.

Pattern Library

Definition: a collection of reusable design elements and templates

• The pattern library helps designers maintain consistency.
• She referred to the pattern library for her project.
• Using a pattern library saves time in design work.

Feedback Loop

Definition: A system where the output is fed back into the input to improve performance.

• The feedback loop helps in learning from mistakes.
• They created a feedback loop to enhance the project.
• Understanding feedback loops is crucial in system analysis.

Stakeholder

Definition: A person or group with an interest in a project or decision.

• The company considers all stakeholders in its decisions.
• Parents are important stakeholders in education.
• They invited stakeholders to discuss the new plan.

Stakeholder in a sentence

Alignment

Definition: The arrangement of something in a straight line; agreement.

• The alignment of the wheels was off, causing issues.
• They checked the alignment of the project goals.
• Proper alignment is crucial for the machine's operation.

Alignment in a sentence

Deliverables

Definition: Specific results or outputs that must be provided as part of a project.

• The project manager outlined the key deliverables for the team.
• They discussed the deliverables during the meeting.
• Understanding deliverables ensures project success.

Taxonomy

Definition: The science of classifying living organisms into groups.

• Taxonomy helps scientists organize different species.
• She studied taxonomy to better understand plants and animals.
• The taxonomy of animals is essential for biodiversity research.

Taxonomy in a sentence

Modularity

Definition: The degree to which a system's components can be separated and recombined.

• The modularity of the system makes it easy to upgrade.
• Understanding modularity can improve design efficiency.
• She praised the modularity of the software architecture.

Modularity in a sentence

Visual Hierarchy

Definition: The arrangement of elements to show importance.

• Visual hierarchy helps guide viewers' attention.
• She used visual hierarchy in her poster design.
• Good visual hierarchy makes information easier to understand.

Artifact

Definition: An object made by a human being, often of historical or cultural interest.

• The museum displayed an ancient artifact.
• They found an artifact during the excavation.
• Artifacts help us learn about past civilizations.

Artifact in a sentence

User Interface

Definition: The visual part of a computer program or application that users interact with.

• A clean user interface makes it easier to navigate.
• He designed the user interface to be user-friendly.
• The user interface received positive feedback from users.

User Interface in a sentence

Heuristic Evaluation

Definition: a usability inspection method for identifying usability problems

• The team conducted a heuristic evaluation of the website.
• Heuristic evaluation is useful for improving designs.
• They learned about heuristic evaluation in their course.

Agile Methodology

Definition: A flexible and iterative approach to project management and development.

• Agile methodology allows teams to adapt to changes quickly.
• He learned about agile methodology in his software development course.
• Understanding agile methodology improves project outcomes.

Cross-functional

Definition: Involving members from different departments working together.

• The cross-functional team worked on the project successfully.
• Cross-functional collaboration can lead to innovative solutions.
• She enjoys cross-functional projects that combine various skills.

User Research

Definition: The process of gathering information about users to understand their needs and behaviors.

• User research is essential for effective product design.
• She conducted user research to inform the development process.
• Understanding user research helps create better experiences.

Persona

Definition: The aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others.

• She created a friendly persona to connect with her audience.
• His public persona is very different from his private self.
• Understanding your persona can help in social situations.

Persona in a sentence

Journey Mapping

Definition: The process of creating a journey map to analyze experiences.

• Journey mapping can reveal insights about user needs.
• They used journey mapping to improve their service.
• She learned about journey mapping in her design class.

Fidelity

Definition: Faithfulness or loyalty to a person, cause, or belief.

• He showed great fidelity to his friends.
• Fidelity in relationships is very important.
• Understanding fidelity can strengthen bonds.

Fidelity in a sentence

A/B Testing

Definition: comparing two versions to see which is better

• They used A/B testing to improve their website.
• A/B testing helps businesses make decisions.
• We learned about A/B testing in our marketing class.

Version Control

Definition: A system that keeps track of changes to documents or files over time.

• Version control helps teams work on projects without losing data.
• She used version control to manage her code changes.
• Understanding version control is essential for collaborative work.

Artifact Management

Definition: The process of overseeing and organizing artifacts in collections.

• Effective artifact management is crucial for museums.
• They learned about artifact management during their internship.
• Artifact management helps in preserving cultural heritage.

Design Tokens

Definition: Named entities that store visual design attributes, used for consistent styling.

• Design tokens help maintain a cohesive brand identity.
• They utilized design tokens in their web development.
• Understanding design tokens improves design consistency.

Annotation

Definition: A note added to a text to explain or comment on something; a form of explanation.

• She made an annotation on the text to clarify her thoughts.
• The teacher encourages annotation to enhance understanding.
• His annotation helped his classmates during the discussion.

Annotation in a sentence

Synthesis

Definition: The combination of different ideas or elements to form a new whole.

• Synthesis of information is important in writing essays.
• The synthesis of various sources improved her research.
• He focused on the synthesis of art and science in his project.

Synthesis in a sentence

Empathy Mapping

Definition: The process of creating an empathy map to explore user experiences.

• Empathy mapping is useful in product development.
• She facilitated empathy mapping sessions to gather insights.
• Understanding empathy mapping is key in design thinking.

Design Thinking

Definition: A problem-solving approach that emphasizes understanding users' needs and brainstorming innovative solutions.

• Design thinking encourages creativity and collaboration.
• She applied design thinking to develop a new product.
• Understanding design thinking helps in effective innovation.

User-centered Design

Definition: A design approach that focuses on the needs and preferences of users.

• User-centered design ensures products are easy to use.
• She applies user-centered design principles in her projects.
• Effective user-centered design improves user satisfaction.

Affordance

Definition: The possibility of an action based on an object's properties.

• The affordance of the handle allows for easy opening.
• Understanding affordance is key in design.
• The affordance of the chair suggests it is comfortable.

Cognitive Load

Definition: the amount of mental effort used in learning

• High cognitive load can make studying difficult.
• She managed her cognitive load by breaking tasks into smaller parts.
• Understanding cognitive load helps improve study habits.

Legibility

Definition: The quality of being clear enough to read; ease of reading.

• Good legibility is important in printed materials.
• The teacher emphasized legibility in student handwriting.
• They chose fonts with high legibility for the poster.

Legibility in a sentence

Discoverability

Definition: The quality of being able to be found or discovered; ease of finding information.

• The discoverability of the website improved with SEO.
• She focused on discoverability in her research.
• Understanding discoverability is crucial for online content.

Nomenclature

Definition: a system of names used in a particular field

• The scientific nomenclature helps identify species accurately.
• She learned about the nomenclature of chemical compounds.
• Nomenclature is important in biology and medicine.

Nomenclature in a sentence

Iteration Cycle

Definition: The repeated sequence of processes in development.

• The iteration cycle helps refine the product over time.
• They planned their iteration cycle for the project.
• Understanding the iteration cycle is crucial for success.

Design Audit

Definition: A review process to assess the effectiveness and quality of a design.

• The design audit revealed areas for improvement.
• They conducted a design audit to ensure standards were met.
• Understanding design audits can enhance project outcomes.

Heuristic

Definition: A problem-solving approach that uses practical methods or shortcuts.

• He used a heuristic method to find a solution quickly.
• Heuristic strategies can help in decision-making.
• Understanding heuristics can improve critical thinking.

Heuristic in a sentence

Synergy

Definition: The combined effect that is greater than the sum of individual effects.

• The team worked together in synergy to complete the project.
• Synergy can enhance creativity and productivity.
• Finding synergy among team members is crucial for success.

Synergy in a sentence

User-centric

Definition: Focusing primarily on the needs and preferences of users.

• A user-centric approach leads to better products.
• He emphasized user-centric design in his presentation.
• User-centric strategies often result in higher engagement.

Visualization

Definition: The act of creating images or diagrams in the mind or on paper to understand information better.

• Visualization helps in understanding complex concepts.
• She used visualization techniques to prepare for her presentation.
• The teacher encouraged students to use visualization for math problems.

Visualization in a sentence

Workflow

Definition: The sequence of processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion.

• Understanding workflow helps improve productivity.
• She designed a new workflow for the project team.
• Effective workflow management can streamline operations.

Workflow in a sentence

Palette

Definition: A range of colors used by an artist; also the board for mixing paints.

• The artist chose a bright palette for her painting.
• He has a limited palette of colors to work with.
• The palette of colors can influence the mood of the artwork.

Palette in a sentence

Responsiveness

Definition: The quality of reacting quickly or positively.

• The responsiveness of the service impressed customers.
• They measured the responsiveness of the website.
• Her responsiveness to feedback improved the project.

Responsiveness in a sentence