Linear's Founding Designer Reveals Unconventional Approach: "No Strict Design System"

Adrien Griveau, a Founding Designer at Linear, the popular project and issue tracking system, recently disclosed that the company operates without a "strict design system," opting instead for a more fluid approach where design tools like Figma serve primarily as sketching platforms for final code implementation. This statement offers a glimpse into the design philosophy of a company widely recognized for its polished user interface.

"Our files are pretty messy, honestly. We don’t follow a strict “design system”. We use more Figma as a sketch to build the final product in code," Griveau stated in a recent tweet. This perspective challenges conventional wisdom in product design, where robust design systems are often seen as crucial for scalability and consistency.

Linear's co-founder, Karri Saarinen, has previously elaborated on this methodology, emphasizing that the design file itself is a reference, not a deliverable. Saarinen noted that their design process involves taking screenshots of the live application and designing directly on top of them. The company maintains a simple design system comprising colors, typography, and fundamental components, with designers having autonomy over layer naming, auto layout, and component usage within their quarterly design files.

This lean approach allows Linear to prioritize rapid iteration and direct implementation in code, treating the application itself as the ultimate source of truth for design. Once a design is deemed sufficient, it transitions from a Figma prototype to a reference for development, with the real design evolving within the application. This strategy enables the team to maintain agility and focus on the functional output, rather than extensive documentation of design assets.

The company, known for its focus on speed and efficiency in software development, applies a similar philosophy to its internal design operations. This method suggests a pragmatic balance between design fidelity and development velocity, allowing Linear to continuously evolve its product while avoiding the overhead often associated with highly rigid design systems.