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Adrian Windle
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Creating a design system - Confused.com

Confused.com Design System

Tools: Figma • Illustrator • Zeroheight • Storybook

Role: Senior UI Designer / Design System Lead

Duration: 2022 - (ongoing)

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Overview:

Confused.com needed a unified, scalable design system to align product, marketing, and internal tools. I led the creation of a simple, flexible, and accessible visual language that supports clarity across every digital touchpoint.

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The Challenge:

Rapid product growth had created inconsistent interfaces, duplicated components, and slow delivery cycles. The goal was to build a single source of truth that improved efficiency while reinforcing the brand.

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My role:

I led the design system initiative, collaborating with product, brand, and development teams. Responsibilities included:

• Defining design tokens (colour, type, spacing, iconography)

• Building a reusable Figma component library

• Embedding accessibility into all UI patterns

• Documenting guidelines in Zeroheight

• Running workshops to drive cross-team adoption

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Approach:

I began with a full UI audit to identify inconsistencies and opportunities for consolidation. Using these insights, I created the foundational styles and core components, then expanded into more complex patterns. Documentation and workshops ensured the system was easy to use, adapt, and maintain across teams.

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Outcome & Impact:

The design system became the central reference point for all digital design, delivering:

• Faster design and development workflows

• A consistent, brand-aligned UI across products

• Reduced duplication and improved team alignment

• A scalable foundation for future features and platforms

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Why It Matters:

This project demonstrates my ability to lead design direction, collaborate across disciplines, and create systems that improve product quality, speed, and long-term scalability.

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Results:

• 2× faster design and development velocity through shared libraries and reusable components.

• Improved cross-team collaboration, with designers, developers, and stakeholders aligned around the same visual and functional language.

• Streamlined third-party integration, supported by live, interactive documentation in Zeroheight and Storybook.

Today, the design system continues to evolve — a dynamic ecosystem that empowers Confused.com to scale confidently while staying true to its mission of clarity.

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© Adrian Windle 2025