Building a compliant system from scratch

The Challenge

National Grid was working with IBM iX to build their very first design system and facing pressure from internal teams to create something quickly. With no existing infrastructure or tooling in place, they needed a way to build a fully compliant system that internal and external teams could start using right away.

Approach

National Grid used Knapsack’s flexible workspace to build out a custom branded site based on a themed implementation of the Carbon design system. They were also able to use Knapsack’s built-in contribution workflows and distribution pipeline to jumpstart their operations. Knapsack’s security features also meant their system was fully compliant.

Results

A fully compliant system used by internal and external teams

Centralized design system supporting 10+ properties

Significant cost savings by using Knapsack’s built-in operations

Months saved building and implementing a system from scratch

A design system website is as important as the design tooling or component code. It's where the whole organization can come for a single source of truth, and a common frame of reference. Knapsack can be a great accelerator, helping organizations to provide that platform.

Robin Cannon

Global Director of Design Systems at IBM iX