In the ever-expanding world of design and development, one of the most pivotal creations to standardize and enhance digital experiences is the notion of “Design Systems.” These systems are revolutionizing the way products are conceptualized and brought to life. Still, they must also ensure that every digital interaction is inclusive of all users.

This in-depth exploration is not just for the designers and developers looking to maintain legal compliance or hit a checklist item – it’s for those who see beyond the web of regulations and understand what digital accessibility truly means.

By grasping the complexity of accessibility within a design system, we not only expand our user base but also refine the craft of user-centered design.

Strategic planning is more than just a buzzword; it's a fundamental aspect of achieving long-term success for your business. In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of strategic planning, exploring why it's crucial, how to create an effective strategy, and the impact it can have on your business growth

What craftsmanship means to us

To us, craftsmanship means you care a whole, whole lot. Craftsmanship = extreme quality. For Whimsical, this means creating products that:

• get out of your way and usher you into a state of flow

• are loaded with delightful details

• have spirit and taste

• empower you to communicate more fluidly and effectively than ever before

Strategic planning is more than just a buzzword; it's a fundamental aspect of achieving long-term success for your business. In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of strategic planning, exploring why it's crucial, how to create an effective strategy, and the impact it can have on your business growth

The main trade-off

One company whose craftsmanship is both evident and hugely inspiring is Pixar. I love this quote from Creativity Inc.:

“John coined a new phrase: “Quality is the best business plan.” What he meant was that quality is not a consequence of following some set of behaviors. Rather, it is a prerequisite and a mindset you must have before you decide what you are setting out to do. Everyone says quality is important, but they must do more than say it. They must live, think, and breathe it. When our people asserted that they only wanted to make films of the highest quality and when we pushed ourselves to the limit in order to prove our commitment to that ideal, Pixar’s identity was cemented. We would be a company that would never settle.” — Ed Catmull, Creativity Inc.
Quality is a mindset. It requires all-out devotion. This is the mindset that we aspire to at Whimsical. We don’t expect to ship perfection every time but we are resolutely committed to quality. It’s a part of our identity and culture.

We acknowledge that quality is a journey. It’s iterative. We are always looking for ways to improve our existing product. We understand that as we’re building something new, the first versions won’t be great. But we will never settle.

Do we perfectly adhere to our commitment of craftsmanship?

No, of course not — but we’re on the path. We actively work to seek, protect, and prize craftsmanship in our normal work rhythms.
For example:

• When building a new product feature, we focus on ensuring the design and build meet our quality checks versus time boxing the work into a certain number of weeks

• We have entire cycles of work where we focus on shipping quality detail updates like small UI improvements or bug fixes (we’re in a particularly long one as I write this)

• Before shipping a new feature, we experience and evaluate it within our team first. By the way, building a product we use ourselves is such an advantage and joy

• When hiring, we look for candidates with a clear track record of craftsmanship in their discipline.