Top Design System Examples to Learn From (2025 Edition)
May 4, 2025
You don’t need to reinvent everything.
Some of the best design systems in the world are already public — and they’re full of lessons.
Whether you’re building your first system or scaling an existing one, looking at real-world examples can help you make better decisions, faster.
Here are some of the best design system examples to learn from in 2025 — and what makes each one great.
🧩 1. Google Material Design
What’s great:
Deep documentation and accessibility guidance
Clear motion, elevation, and interaction patterns
Massive open-source component libraries (MUI, Jetpack Compose)
Why it matters:
Material pioneered the idea of design systems as experiences, not just UI kits.
🧩 2. Apple Human Interface Guidelines
What’s great:
Platform-specific guidance (iOS, macOS, visionOS)
Strong visual consistency principles
Focus on clarity, depth, and delight
Why it matters:
Apple’s HIG teaches you how to design within constraints — while still feeling premium.
🔗 developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines
🧩 3. Atlassian Design System
What’s great:
Strong component anatomy and usage docs
Smart content guidelines for tone and writing
Focused on real-world use in large-scale products
Why it matters:
Perfect example of a system supporting dozens of products and teams without breaking.
🧩 4. Shopify Polaris
What’s great:
Clear token system with theming support
Commerce-specific components (e.g., product cards, pricing fields)
Guidelines for content design and accessibility
Why it matters:
Polaris shows how to align design and brand inside a commerce-first product ecosystem.
🧩 5. IBM Carbon Design System
What’s great:
Super structured, token-first approach
Open-source with robust dev tools
Accessibility built into every component
Why it matters:
Carbon is a masterclass in technical depth — without sacrificing usability.
🧩 6. Salesforce Lightning Design System
What’s great:
Component blueprints built for enterprise scale
Patterns for data-heavy UIs
Alignment across dev, design, and marketing
Why it matters:
Lightning is built for complexity — and teaches how to stay clear in large systems.
🧩 7. Sigma Design System
What’s great:
Modular, minimal, and playful
Designed to scale without clutter
Deep documentation and token-driven logic
Why it matters:
Sigma proves a system can be simple and powerful — without getting in your way.
✨ What to Look for in a Great Design System
✅ Strong foundations (typography, color, spacing)
✅ Reusable components with clear rules
✅ Thoughtful documentation
✅ Token-driven logic
✅ Visual clarity + brand alignment
💬 A great system feels invisible — until you need it.
📘 Want a Clean System to Start From?
Sigma Design System was built to inspire — with clarity, structure, and visual delight baked in.
A great reference, or a great foundation.
2025 Sigma. All rights reserved. Created with hope, love and fury by Ameer Omidvar.