Overview
Our design team embarked on a project to overhaul one of our company’s legacy Figma libraries. This Figma library played a critical role in creating visual assets like banners, icons, and informative imagery for our website. However, as newer design systems were introduced, it became clear that this older library was no longer up to standard. To improve scalability and efficiency, we aimed to optimize the library, aligning it with modern design best practices while ensuring it could easily adapt to future updates.

Goal
The primary goal was to reorganize and optimize the outdated Figma design library, improving its scalability and ensuring it was consistent with newer, more polished libraries. We wanted to:
- Make the Figma components easy to update and reuse.
- Standardize design elements like icons and banners.
- Remove any half pixels and adhere to an 8px grid to ensure ease with scalability
- Future-proof the library so it could handle updates without breaking existing designs.
Challenges in Optimizing the Figma Library
One of the biggest challenges we faced was how to update the individual design elements without disrupting the banners, icons, and assets already in use across the website. We needed a seamless way to make updates without causing any issues for designers or developers working with existing content.
Partway through the project, we also decided to switch to a monochromatic color scheme. This required us to change the library’s colors midway, adding a new layer of complexity to the process.
How We Optimized the Figma Library
Figma Library Audit and Asset Inventory
- We began with a thorough review of the Figma library, identifying all the existing elements and categorizing them based on what needed to be retained, improved, or added.
- This process allowed us to generate a clear list of essential design assets that the updated library needed to include.
Streamlining the Figma Design System
- 8px Grid System: To ensure consistency across all visual elements, we standardized everything according to an 8px grid system. This made the designs more cohesive and scalable.
- Pixel-Perfect Design: We fixed any pixel inconsistencies and ensured all elements snapped perfectly to the grid, eliminating issues with half-pixels or misaligned designs.
- Reusable Figma Components: Every design element, from icons to banners, was converted into reusable components. This allowed for easy updates across the entire design system without needing to manually adjust each instance of a visual element.

Colour scheme changes

Defining Colors and Styles Early in the Process
We defined a clear set of color styles, typography, and other design rules right from the start. Each element in the Figma library was linked to these predefined styles, making updates simple and consistent.
This foresight allowed us to adapt quickly when we later decided to shift to a monochromatic color palette.
Mid-Project Color Scheme Change
When we decided to move to a monochromatic color scheme, we were able to update the library quickly and efficiently. Since all design elements were built as components and linked to a central color style guide, changing the color scheme was as simple as updating the master color styles. These changes automatically propagated across the entire library.
This saved considerable time and ensured a seamless transition, without the need to manually update each design asset.

Testing and Final Implementation
After making the necessary updates, we thoroughly tested the new components to ensure they worked well within the existing website designs. This was crucial to avoid any potential issues with the banners, icons, or other visuals already in use.
We worked closely with the development team to ensure that the updated Figma library could be smoothly integrated into the website’s codebase, maintaining design integrity.
Results of the Figma Library Optimization
Optimizing the Figma library delivered several key benefits for our design and development teams:
- Increased Efficiency in Design: By standardizing elements and creating reusable Figma components, designers could now create and update visuals much more quickly. The new system significantly reduced the time spent on repetitive tasks.
- Easier Updates: The component-based structure made future updates, like the transition to a monochromatic color scheme, incredibly straightforward. A single change in the Figma library updated all related elements automatically.
- Consistent Design Across the Website: The 8px grid system and pixel-perfect design improvements resulted in a much more cohesive and professional visual appearance across the entire website.
- Future-Proofed Figma Library: The optimized design system is now set up for future growth, with scalable components that won’t require major overhauls as the company’s design needs evolve.
Conclusion
The Figma library optimization project was a success, bringing the outdated design system up to modern standards while ensuring future scalability. This case study highlights how a well-structured and optimized Figma library can significantly improve design efficiency, visual consistency, and ease of future updates.
By focusing on pixel-perfect elements, reusable components, and a flexible design system, we were able to create a scalable Figma library that meets the evolving needs of our team and ensures long-term design integrity. The lessons learned here have become best practices for how we approach future design library optimizations.