When I joined ClearGov, a leader in local government budgeting software, I encountered a fragmented landscape of products. Each aimed to empower efficient budgeting, but design inconsistency caused confusion and slowed processes. Development cycles extended significantly, and maintaining brand consistency became increasingly challenging.

Recognizing the need for a more unified approach, I collaborated with the Senior UX Designer to initiate the ClearGov Design System project. This case study outlines how we teamed up to create and implement a system that unified ClearGov's software, improved user experience, and streamlined design and development workflows. Our ultimate goal was to empower local governments with user-friendly tools, making budgeting clearer and more accessible.

Interfaces across different products felt like mismatched puzzle pieces – inconsistent buttons, varying typography, and navigation pathways that frustrated even the most seasoned budget analysts. ClearGov needed a design system, a cohesive framework to harmonize its diverse products and elevate the user experience.

Beyond user experience disconnects, expanding to new cities and towns made maintaining a consistent brand identity increasingly difficult. This clash between consistency and flexibility was a significant design challenge.

The problem extended beyond aesthetics. It was about efficiency, communication, and empowering local governments with user-friendly tools to manage their most valuable resource – budget dollars. I was excited to tackle this design challenge alongside the Senior UX Designer, connecting isolated products, improving workflows, and ensuring that every mayor, finance director, and citizen using ClearGov had a clear and consistent experience.

Creating a design system for ClearGov was an exciting journey that began when I joined the team. At the time, the company was rapidly expanding its product offerings, and there was a pressing need for a consistent design system to streamline the design and development process. With only one other designer focusing on various UX design tasks, there had been limited bandwidth to dedicate to creating a design system.

Partnering with the Senior UX Designer, we dove deep into existing designs, unearthing inconsistencies. We mapped out the system's scope, ensuring it embraced both past and future products.

Then, we built a foundational Figma UI kit, housing essential design elements – buttons, forms, typography – the building blocks of our design language.

With the groundwork laid, we embarked on a meticulous component development process. We prioritized components based on usage and importance, meticulously designing each one like a master jeweler crafting a precious gem. Every button, form, and icon was documented in comprehensive Figma files, organized with the precision of a cartographer's map. Transparency was our mantra – each component had a detailed narrative, explaining its purpose, variations, and even quirks, all accessible through our shared UI library.

The design system wasn't a static monument; it was a living, breathing entity. We continuously sought feedback from designers, developers, and product managers, conducting usability testing like rigorous quality control checks. Based on this feedback, we iterated on components and guidelines, shaping the system like a sculptor molding clay. It was a constant conversation, a feedback loop that ensured the system remained relevant and user-centric.

ClearGov continued to grow, and so did our design system. New components were added, existing ones evolved to meet changing needs. It was like adding new floors to a skyscraper, maintaining the core structure while expanding the view. Maintaining the system's relevance became an ongoing mission, integrated into our workflow to ensure its continued vibrancy.

The ClearGov Design System has demonstrably improved our software's usability, efficiency, and accessibility. It has also fostered a culture of collaboration and user-centered design within the company. Here are some of the outcomes and learnings:

The ClearGov Design System is more than just a UI library; it's a collaboration engine that fuels design consistency, usability, and accessibility. It's not static, but constantly evolving through a feedback loop involving designers, developers, product managers, and users. This collective effort ensures the system remains relevant, efficient, and empowering for diverse user groups across ClearGov's software portfolio.

Personally, this project solidified my belief in the transformative power of design systems. It taught me the value of early implementation, continuous iteration, and unwavering collaboration. These principles now guide my approach, and I'm excited to see how the ClearGov Design System continues to evolve and empower users, driving a brighter financial future for local governments, one intuitive interaction at a time. As ClearGov expands its reach and impact, the design system will serve as a scalable foundation, ensuring a consistent and user-friendly experience for all.