Summary
In the Dribbble Scaling Design Systems course, I embarked on an ambitious project to build a design system for the Interplanetary Travel Syndicate (IPTS), later rebranded to Shuddle. This journey entailed conceptualizing and implementing a unified design language across three distinct digital platforms, each serving a unique aspect of interplanetary travel.
Challenge
Faced with the task of supporting a wide range of services from news updates to travel bookings and commuter line navigation, the primary challenge was ensuring a seamless and cohesive user experience across all IPTS offerings. This was compounded by the later introduction of a comprehensive rebranding initiative.
Approach
Research:
I audited luxury travel brands to draw UI inspiration, focusing on their use of imagery, color, and typography. The insight gained was the crucial balance between aesthetic appeal and functionality, guiding the design for a user-friendly yet luxurious experience.
Solution:
Prioritizing foundational elements like color and typography, I chose a palette that suggested the vastness of space while maintaining accessibility. Typography was selected for its readability and ability to complement the space travel theme.
AI tools, ChatGPT for content creation and Mid-journey for visual identity, streamlined the development process. ChatGPT provided relevant and engaging copy, while Mid-journey helped in aligning the visual content with our design goals, ensuring a consistent and immersive user experience.
The IPTS to Shuddle design project, though conceptual for a course, significantly advanced my design skills and career. It deepened my understanding of design systems, highlighting the importance of adaptability and strategic foresight in design. The challenge of creating a cohesive, scalable system and navigating a hypothetical rebranding taught me to balance aesthetics with functionality.