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Design Systems WTF

Design Systems WTF

Written by: zeroheight
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A podcast from zeroheight.

Let’s be honest, design systems are full of choice wtf moments. Michelle and Luke, two of our resident design advocates, are attempting to combat this with a new regular series, where they answer a single question around design system troubles every two weeks.

© 2026 Zero Height Limited
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Is Figma holding design systems back?
    May 26 2026
    Is Figma holding design systems back?


    Live recording of the fortnightly podcast Design Systems WTF (back for season two!), where Luke Murphy and Michelle Chin attempt to combat all the amazing wtf in design systems. In each episode, they answer a single question around design system troubles with a Q&A from the live audience.

    It's the month before Config! So we're diving into a spicy topic - is Figma helping or hindering design systems? Is the future of design systems a world where Figma doesn't exist? Or are design tools like Figma essential for the work we do in design systems day to day?

    Show notes

    • Figma Weave (acquisition / launch)
    • Figma Make Kits announcement
    • The State of AI in Design Systems (zeroheight)
    • Design Systems Report 2025 (zeroheight)
    • UX Tools Design Tools Survey
    • Converge (zeroheight)
    • Luke Murphy on Bluesky
    • Michelle Chin on Bluesky


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    46 mins
  • How do you make developers to care about your design system?
    May 12 2026
    Episode 54 - How do you make developers to care about your design system?


    Live recording of the fortnightly podcast Design Systems WTF (back for season two!), where Luke Murphy and Michelle Chin attempt to combat all the amazing wtf in design systems. In each episode, they answer a single question around design system troubles with a Q&A from the live audience.

    Getting developers interested in the design system still seems to be a challenge for a lot of design system teams in 2026. So how do you get them interested in what you're doing? Do you need to bribe them with snacks? Luke and Michelle discuss ways to get engineers on board, why it's essential, and common pitfalls with design systems sans developers.

    Show notes

    • None this week


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    37 mins
  • Is a design system mandate worth fighting for?
    Apr 28 2026
    Episode #53 - Is a design system mandate worth fighting for?


    Live recording of the fortnightly podcast Design Systems WTF (back for season two!), where Luke Murphy and Michelle Chin attempt to combat all the amazing wtf in design systems. In each episode, they answer a single question around design system troubles with a Q&A from the live audience.

    The Design System Report this year suggested that the number one thing design system teams with low adoption rates were missing was a company mandate. However, is that really the thing you should be fighting for? Or is your time better spent focusing on something else? Luke and Michelle will dive into what actually drives good adoption, and whether a mandate is just a wolf in sheep's clothing.

    Show notes

    • Design System Report 2026
    • Design System Report webinar on Adoption
    • Design System Report webinar on Resourcing
    • The Question
    • Redwoods Community
    • Zeroheight Case Studies


    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
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