Shipthis
Building a Scalable Design System for Shipthis
PROJECT SUMMARY
Overview
Team
Role
Duration
Client
Outline
Shipthis is a cloud-based freight management platform designed to simplify complex logistics operations for freight forwarders and shippers. It streamlines tasks like quote generation, shipment tracking, and documentation through a user-friendly, customizable interface, enabling businesses to manage global logistics with greater efficiency and control.
Project Vision
As Shipthis continued to grow in the logistics space, it became essential to create a cohesive, intuitive interface that could handle the complexities of global freight operations. This design system offers a robust set of design guidelines, reusable components, and resources that empower designers and developers to build seamless, scalable interfaces while maintaining Shipthis’s brand integrity and commitment to user-centered design.
The Challenge
Building a design system for Shipthis meant tackling the intricacies of a highly dynamic logistics platform. The challenge wasn’t just about creating consistency—it was about designing for a product that needed to handle diverse workflows, from rapid quote generation to detailed shipment tracking, all while accommodating varying user needs across global markets. The system needed to handle complex data visualizations and remain flexible enough to support continuous feature growth without compromising usability.
Outcome
The Solution
We focused on creating a design system that could scale with Shipthis’s dynamic logistics needs while maintaining usability. We crafted modular components that adapted to different workflows, from quote generation to shipment tracking, ensuring consistency without restricting flexibility. The system integrated clear data visualizations and intuitive interactions to simplify complex tasks, empowering users to navigate easily. By designing with adaptability in mind, we future-proofed the platform
Establishing the Foundation
We defined core design tokens and foundational styles, including color, typography, spacing, and grids, to ensure consistency across the platform. Semantic values for buttons, inputs, and navigation were established, along with comprehensive documentation, enabling easy updates and scalable implementation as Shipthis evolved.
Creating Easy to Use Components
We designed modular, reusable components that were simple to implement yet flexible enough to adapt to future needs. This approach made it easier for designers and developers to maintain consistency and rapidly prototype new solutions
Dynamic Data Tables
We designed tables that could seamlessly display complex shipment data without overwhelming users. By prioritizing readability and clarity, we introduced dynamic features like adjustable columns, interactive sorting, and customizable views, allowing users to tailor their data experience.
Documentation and Guidelines
The comprehensive documentation and guidelines ensure seamless collaboration across teams, offering a shared understanding of component usage and design principles. In addition to detailed instructions for each component, it includes well-defined UX patterns and templates that empower designers and developers to create cohesive, user-friendly experiences, while maintaining consistency across the Shipthis platform.
Product Views
Various product views were designed to stress-test the design system, ensuring it could handle a range of user scenarios. These views helped validate the system’s flexibility, from managing complex data sets to delivering a seamless experience across different devices.
Results
Impact
The Shipthis design system drastically reduced development time, enabling teams to implement changes in a fraction of the time it previously took. Reusable components and standardized guidelines minimized friction in the design-to-development process, allowing for faster iterations and quicker rollouts. For the business, this led to a more agile platform, able to respond swiftly to market needs and customer feedback.
Conclusion
The Shipthis design system simplifies complex logistics workflows while ensuring a seamless user experience. With flexible components, dynamic tables, and clear documentation, it supports rapid iteration and growth, enabling Shipthis to deliver consistent, efficient solutions as it expands its global freight and shipment management platform.
