How Do I Publish a Design System in Figma?

Are you looking to publish a design system in Figma? Design systems are essential for maintaining consistency and efficiency in your design projects. With Figma's powerful collaborative features, publishing your design system is a breeze. In this tutorial, we will explore the step-by-step process of publishing a design system in Figma.

Step 1: Organize Your Design System

Before publishing your design system, it is crucial to organize your components, styles, and assets properly. Use Figma's organizational features like layers and groups to keep everything structured and easy to navigate.

Step 2: Create a Library

To publish your design system, you need to create a library in Figma. A library allows you to share and update components across multiple files seamlessly.

1. Create a new file: Open Figma and click on "New File" from the dashboard.
2. Add components: Design and create the components you want to include in your design system. Select each component and click on "Create Component" from the right-click menu.
3. Publish as library: Once all your components are ready, go to the main menu and select "Publish as Library." Give it an appropriate name and click on "Publish. "

Step 3: Share Your Design System

Now that your library is published, it's time to share it with others. You have two options for sharing:

A. Share with Specific People

If you want to share your design system with specific individuals or teams:

1. Open the library: Go to the main menu and select "Open Published Library. "
2. Copy the link: Click on the "Copy Link" button in the top-right corner of the library page.
3. Share the link: Share the copied link with your desired recipients. They can open it in Figma and access your design system.

B. Share with Your Organization

If you want to share your design system with everyone in your organization:

1. Publish to your organization: In Figma, go to the main menu and select "Publish to Organization."
2. Select organization: Choose your organization from the list of available options.
3. Publish: Click on "Publish" and wait for Figma to process and share your design system with everyone in your organization.

Step 4: Update Your Design System

A design system is a living entity, constantly evolving. To update your published design system in Figma, follow these steps:

1. Edit your components: Open the original file where you created the components of your design system.
2. Make changes: Modify or add new components as needed.
3. Publish changes: Go to the main menu and select "Publish as Library" again. Make sure you choose the existing library where you initially published your design system.

Congratulations! You now know how to publish a design system in Figma. By organizing, creating a library, sharing, and updating it, you can ensure that your design system remains accessible and up-to-date for collaboration and consistency in your design projects.