Starting on the product teams at John Lewis, my responsibilities included search, recommendations, digital merchandising, and global navigation. In 2022, following the brand refresh, I transitioned to the design system (DS) team as the third member, working closely with our lead designer and concept designer. My role was pivotal in translating design concepts into reusable components, ensuring the DS accurately reflected the refreshed brand identity while maintaining visual consistency across all product verticals. This move not only expanded my skill set but also positioned me to drive innovation and consistency across John Lewis’ product range.

I led the initial setup of the DS, defining its structure, component hierarchy, and naming conventions, which laid the groundwork for future scalability. We conducted industry research to integrate the latest trends and best practices and developed guidelines and contribution models to streamline DS adoption.

In the absence of a dedicated product manager, we focused on clear communication with users and stakeholders through feedback forms, open sessions, and regular updates. Close collaboration with product designers and engineers ensured consistent design implementation and a smooth transition to Figma.

We established metrics to track the DS’s performance and impact, using data-driven insights to refine the system. Accessibility was a core focus from the outset, ensuring an inclusive design approach. Through iterative design, we continuously improved the DS, automating processes where possible and creating a comprehensive website to house all components and documentation.