Managing Tokens for Multiple Brands

1. Introduction

Managing design tokens for multiple brands is crucial for maintaining consistency across various products and platforms. Design tokens are the visual design atoms of the user interface, representing values such as colors, fonts, spacing, and more. This lesson will guide you through the strategies required to effectively manage tokens across different brands.

2. What are Tokens?

Design tokens are named entities that store visual design attributes. They can be categorized into several types:

• Color Tokens
• Spacing Tokens
• Typography Tokens
• Shadow Tokens
• Border Radius Tokens

3. Design Token Structure

A well-structured design token system should facilitate easy updates and scalability. Below is an example of how to structure tokens for multiple brands:

{
  "brands": {
    "brandA": {
      "color": {
        "primary": "#FF5733",
        "secondary": "#C70039"
      },
      "spacing": {
        "small": "8px",
        "medium": "16px",
        "large": "24px"
      }
    },
    "brandB": {
      "color": {
        "primary": "#33C1FF",
        "secondary": "#39C700"
      },
      "spacing": {
        "small": "10px",
        "medium": "20px",
        "large": "30px"
      }
    }
  }
}
        

4. Strategies for Managing Tokens

Here are some effective strategies for managing design tokens for multiple brands:

1. Define a Naming Convention: Establish a standard naming convention that allows easy identification of tokens.
2. Utilize a Centralized Repository: Maintain all tokens in a centralized location such as a JSON or YAML file.
3. Version Control: Use version control for your token files to track changes and manage updates effectively.
4. Automated Build Processes: Employ automated build processes to ensure tokens are compiled and delivered correctly.
5. Documentation: Document the token usage and guidelines to ensure clarity among all team members.

5. Best Practices

Implementing these best practices can further enhance token management:

• Regularly Audit Tokens: Periodically review tokens to remove any that are obsolete.
• Maintain Brand Guidelines: Keep brand guidelines updated alongside token changes.
• Encourage Feedback: Foster a culture of feedback to improve the token system continuously.

6. FAQ