In today’s world, fast, accurate, and contextual information from the public sector is more critical than ever. Governments like the UK and US are leading the way by investing in robust design systems that enhance digital communication. For inspiration, explore the UK Government Design System and the US Design System —both are fantastic starting points, but there’s room for improvement.
From Atomic to Pattern-Based Design
Government design systems (GDS) often focus on atomic design, breaking down web content into its smallest units—buttons, panels, date inputs, etc. While this atomic approach offers flexibility for developers across various platforms, it’s less intuitive for content creators who communicate through larger patterns, like job stories or user stories.
Content designers need solutions that align with how they communicate. Instead of focusing solely on atomic elements, combining these into reusable patterns (e.g., teaser panels with buttons, images, and text) makes design systems more practical for everyday communication tasks. Reusability at both atomic and pattern levels should be a key goal.
Effective Implementation is Essential
A design system is only as valuable as its implementation. While developers benefit from the technical toolkit, content editors need easy-to-use tools, like drag-and-drop functionality, to add, edit, or remove content without requiring developer intervention. The system should empower editors to focus on their communication needs. At Acquia, we achieve this using Drupal, Acquia Cohesion, and Site Factory to bring these design systems to life.
Extendability for Diverse Needs
Design systems should be flexible enough to meet diverse requirements. For instance, the UK Prime Minister’s Office adheres closely to the GDS, while other organisations, like Brighton and Hove Local Authority or the Royal Marsden Hospital, build on these foundations with their own unique branding. We’ve tested this ourselves by recreating various government websites using a common design system powered by Acquia Cohesion. The result? Flexible configurations that align with each organisation’s distinct identity.
Constant Evolution of Design Systems
Design systems must evolve to keep up with changing user expectations, web standards, and communication needs. A government design system needs mechanisms to cascade updates and new features across all sites using the system. Tools like Cohesion and Site Factory make it easier to manage these updates by exporting design patterns as configuration data between Drupal distributions, ensuring consistent improvements.
Beyond Launch: Design Systems for the Long Term
Public sector content needs are unpredictable, driven by changes in government, policy, and public demand. Government design systems should remain adaptable and re-usable long after launch. Cohesion supports this by offering content editors flexible, drag-and-drop design environments that allow them to adjust layouts, take over pages, and fine-tune messages without technical barriers.
Built-In Standards, Seamless Application
Accessibility, security, performance, and stability should be baked into the technology behind government design systems. Content editors shouldn’t have to think about compliance; the design system should make it effortless. Tools like Drupal ensure strong accessibility and security, while Acquia Cohesion integrates these standards seamlessly into every publishing action.
At the end of the day, the focus should be on high-quality communication that meets the needs of the audience, not on the complexities of the underlying technology. That’s how we help public sector organisations deliver better digital experiences.
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