How to Build a Design System Starter Kit

A design system doesn't have to start big.
In fact, the best systems begin small — as focused, flexible starter kits.

If you want to move faster, stay consistent, and scale your product later without chaos, building a strong starter kit is the smartest move you can make.

Let’s walk through how to create one.

🧠 What Is a Design System Starter Kit?

A starter kit is a lightweight foundation for your design system.
It includes just enough structure — without slowing you down.

Think of it as:

• A core set of styles (typography, colors, spacing)

• Basic components (buttons, inputs, cards)

• A simple way to document and maintain them

Not overbuilt. Not bloated.
Just the right amount of reusability and clarity to start shipping better.

🎯 Why Start With a Starter Kit?

• Speed: Start designing and iterating immediately.

• Consistency: Avoid styling everything from scratch every time.

• Scalability: Build a foundation you can expand later.

• Clarity: Help your team align faster — designers and developers both.

💬 A good starter kit is like a great first draft: clear enough to use, flexible enough to grow.

🛠️ How to Build Your Starter Kit (Step-by-Step)

1. Define Your Foundations

✅ Typography: Pick heading, body, and caption styles.
✅ Color System: Create a simple palette (primary, secondary, success, warning, neutral).
✅ Spacing & Grids: Define base spacing units and a simple grid.
✅ Icon Set: Pick a consistent style (outline, filled, etc.).

💬 Don’t overthink it — you can refine later.

2. Build Core Components

✅ Buttons: Primary, secondary, and disabled states
✅ Inputs: Text fields, dropdowns, checkboxes, radios
✅ Cards: Basic containers with image + text layout
✅ Modals/Dialogs: A clean, minimal base

💬 Focus on flexibility, not every variation right away.

3. Create a Simple Token System

✅ Define color, spacing, and typography tokens.
✅ Set up Figma variables (or styles) for them.

💬 Tokens make updates painless later.

4. Document the Essentials

✅ Basic usage guidelines ("Use Primary Button for main actions")
✅ Quick anatomy breakdowns (what's in a card?)
✅ A short "how to use this kit" note for new designers

💬 Even basic documentation saves hours later.

5. Set Up Libraries and Publish

✅ Organize your kit into Figma libraries
✅ Use clear naming conventions (Button/Primary/Default)
✅ Publish and update cleanly

💬 A messy starter kit becomes a messy system.

✨ Pro Tip: Start Small, Grow Smart

You don't need 100 components to have a system.
You need 10 good ones — and the discipline to evolve thoughtfully.

Every version of your starter kit should feel usable — even if it’s v0.1.

📘 Need a Head Start?

Sigma Design System was built exactly this way:
A clear, modular starter kit → designed to grow into a full design system without ever feeling bloated.

If you want a battle-tested foundation to start from, check it out.