In his Putting the 'Design' in Design Systems presentation at An Event Apart in Seattle, Dan Mall talked about the benefits of design systems for designers and how ensure they can be realized. Here's my notes from his talk:

• Most content in design systems are not for designers but for developers. This helps to scale design efforts when there's a lot more developers than designers (typical in many companies).
• But where does design and designers fit within a design system? Are they no longer required?
• Design can be part of strategy and big picture thinking but most designers are good at making designs and iterating them, not working across the company on "big D" design.
• When it comes time to make a design system, most people start with "let's make some components!". This is problematic because its missing "for ____". What's the purpose of our design system? Who is it for?
• Design systems need a focus. One company's design system should not work for another company. A good "onlyness" statement can only apply to one company, it would not work for other companies.
• Design system principles can guide your work. Some are universal like: accessible, simple. Others should be very specific so you can focus on what matters for you.
• An audit of common components in design systems shows the coverage varies between companies; the components can focus on their core value.
• Instead of starting with making design components, think about what components you actually need. Then make some pilot screens as proofs of concept for a design system. Will you be able to make the right kinds of things?
• Don't start at the abstract level, start at the extract level. Take elements from within pilot designs and look for common components to pull out for reuse. Don't try to make it cover all use cases yet. As you work through a few pilots, expand components to cover additional use cases you uncover.
• The most exciting design systems are boring. About 80% of the components you're making can be covered by your design system. They allow you to remake product experiences quickly. The remaining 20% is what designers still need to do: custom design work.
• A good design system takes care of the stuff you shouldn't reinvent and allows you to spend time on where it matters.
• Creative people are driven by autonomy, mastery, and purpose. A good design system will enable all of these.
• The most common benefits of design systems are greater efficiency and consistency. But another important one is relief from having to do mundane design work. (editor's note: like maintaining & updating a design system!)
• The real value of a design system is to help us get back to our real work.

The world will miss the lawyer and philantrophist who defended Mandela and was chair of Oxfam, writes Mari Marcel Thekaekara.

He puts his life on the line to protect the Democratic Republic of Congo's national parks.

KidZania is an unashamed shrine to the sterile, dystopian human-made landscapes, comedian Steve Parry writes.

Mindtree posted a net profit of Rs 198.4 crore in the same period last year

The company looks to raise Rs 53,125 crore through this rights issue, which will be the first by RIL in three decades

Review and comparison of the best Wordpress theme clubs for unlimited domains.

What drove this Southern Baptist missionary to spend more than 35 years in healthcare in India.

Innovation still drives top employer status, yet artificial intelligence (AI) is now on the minds of employers and employees alike.

Academic bullying is more pervasive in science than previously thought. Find out what it is and what you can do to help.

London ; New York : Bloomsbury Academic, 2018

Albany : State University of New York Press, [2016]

Shrivenham, Oxfordshire : Shearsman Books, 2020.

Barcelona : Editorial Anagrama, 2015-2017.

[France] : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, [2020]

[U.S.A] : Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, [2018]

Tickets are still available for these upcoming events in the National Book Festival Presents series:

Nov. 6 – Karen Armstrong discusses her new book, “The Lost Art of Scripture: Rescuing the Sacred Texts.” Armstrong is the author of numerous groundbreaking works on world religions and speaks often on how faith shapes civic conversation. Click here for ticket information.

Nov. 8 – Brad Meltzer & Chris Eliopoulos present their new PBS KIDS series, “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum,” based on their books for children, “Ordinary People Change the World,” featuring the newest titles, “I Am Walt Disney” and “I Am Marie Curie.” The PBS KIDS series, premiering Nov. 11, will introduce kids to inspiring historical figures and the character virtues that helped them succeed. Click here for ticket information.

Nov. 13 – André Aciman discusses his new book, “Find Me,” the sequel to his bestselling “Call Me By Your Name,” which was made into an Academy Award-winning film. Click here for ticket information.

Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.

On Thursday, March 12, the Library of Congress closed all Library buildings to the public until April 1. On Tuesday, March 17, the Library announced that all public events are canceled until May 11 to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 coronavirus. Whenever possible, the Library will reschedule the public programs that have been canceled. Please read the Library's public statement, and see the Poetry and Literature Center's event updates below.

Thursday, March 19, 7:00 PM
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL PRESENTS JEFFREY ROSEN AND DAHLIA LITHWICK

This event has been CANCELED.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Author Jeffrey Rosen will discuss his new book, Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty and Law, with Dahlia Lithwick, a senior editor at Slate. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Law Library of Congress and presented in partnership with National Book Festival Presents.

Location: LJ-119, first floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: specialevents@loc.gov

Thursday, April 2, 7:00 PM
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL PRESENTS RICHARD FORD

This event has been POSTPONED to a later date.
Note: Once a date has been confirmed, the Library of Congress will alert all those who registered for the original event date via their email addresses. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to seeing you, your family and friends very soon.

In an event titled “A Good Story Knows No Borders,” Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction winner Richard Ford will give a talk about the universality of fiction as well as participate in a discussion with his German translator, Frank Heibert. The discussion will be moderated by Library of Congress Literary Director Marie Arana. This event is free and open to the public. Presented in partnership with National Book Festival Presents.

Location: Coolidge Auditorium, ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: specialevents@loc.gov

Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 PM
LIFE OF A POET: KIMIKO HAHN

This event has been POSTPONED to a later date.
Note: Once a date has been confirmed, Hill Center will alert all those who registered for the original event date via their email addresses. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to seeing you, your family and friends very soon.

Poet Kimiko Hahn will discuss her work with Ron Charles, book critic at The Washington Post. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by Hill Center and The Washington Post.

Location: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Contact: poetry@loc.gov 

Thursday, April 30, 7:00 PM
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL PRESENTS JOY HARJO

This event has been CANCELED.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Joy Harjo will participate in her closing event as the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate, which will include a moderated discussion and special musical performance. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Library’s American Folklife Center and Music Division, and presented in partnership with National Book Festival Presents.

Location: Coolidge Auditorium, ground floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: specialevents@loc.gov

Thursday, May 7, 7:00 PM
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL PRESENTS JOHN HESSLER

This event has been POSTPONED to a later date.
Note: Once a date has been confirmed, the Library of Congress will alert all those who registered for the original event date via their email addresses. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to seeing you, your family and friends very soon.

John Hessler, specialist in the Library of Congress’ Geography and Map division and author of the best-seller MAP: Exploring the World, will discuss his new book on pre-Columbian cultures, Collecting for the New World. This event is free and open to the public. Presented in partnership with National Book Festival Presents.

Location: LJ-119, first floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: specialevents@loc.gov

For more information about upcoming events, please visit the Poetry and Literature Center's website. 

The Toxic Cloud-Emitting Portable Dry Ice Maker in action.

Kristen Bell stopped by the Wired Cafe at Comic-Con to discuss her upcoming lead role as the brand new character 'Cora' in 'Astro Boy'.

Check out what happens when you use this DIY kit to grow foodie fungi, or anything else you might want to dream up.

Set the office a-chattering when you whip out this 4-ounce human-powered chain saw. Then set that leg on your office chair straight.

A look inside the EBEX project, an experiment designed to detect a faint signal generated just after the birth of the universe. If successful, this signal could be a huge step toward achieving the "holy grail" of physics: a grand unified theory.

No matter the danger&mash;a torrent of gizmos or an avalanche of snow—this North Face system will have your back (Saint Bernard and brandy not included).

A True Bionic Limb Remains Far Out of Reach

2K Games revives its classic strategy role playing game with the release of XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

The creators and actors of the Avenger Short: Item 47, talk about the concept of being outside the avenger universe, yet still being apart of it.

With a brand new era of Star Wars content on the way, the Wired staff has been reminiscing about their favorite memories of the saga.

To test Sony's new POV camera, I strapped it to my editor's head and had him ride around on his bike.

Want to know how a real pro steals our nation's seat of power? Roland Emmerich, allow us to introduce you to General Zod.

The Angry Nerd vs The White House.

Special Correspondent Cara Santa Maria goes on safari at SDCC 2013 in search of the most expensive item at the con.

The future of design is upon us. Seamless interactions engineered between your personal tech and the world around you that reduce complexity. Artists that collaborate and cross mediums in realtime, streaming their art from mobile platforms. And a floating internet in the sky that could open the digital world to billions. Find out how the new designers are changing the way we will experience the future in the September 2013 issue of WIRED.

Genius is everywhere - but we're wasting it. In the November issue of WIRED, we explore how to unleash the great minds of tomorrow. Plus 26 winter gear essentials, the Nest Protect, North Korean Instagrams, and much more! Online and on Tablets: 10.15.2013 On Newsstands: 10.22.2013