The pattern library we created is essentially Spark’s answer to a responsive design. It’s now the foundation of spark.co.nz - one of the largest and busiest websites in New Zealand.
In creating the library, it was crucial to find the right balance between firm direction and flexibility. So the end result is a strict set of design guidelines that also offer enough the freedom to pick various components and assemble a page on the fly.
Similarly, if Spark need a customised build then the guidelines allow a new pattern to be developed. But it still needs to follow the basic principles of the library. Spark’s business solution tool is a great example of this in action.
Safeguarding the library’s integrity after we completed it was also an important part of this project. I was responsible for making sure it was correctly applied to all of the site’s existing components and for writing the digital guidelines that designers need to follow.
You can see example of both the library and the guidelines below:
