Design Tokens
Design tokens are a methodology for storing and managing design decisions—such as colors, typography, spacing, and other visual properties—as structured data that can be used across different platforms and tools. They act as a single source of truth for design systems, enabling consistency in user interfaces by translating design values into code-friendly formats like JSON or CSS variables. This approach bridges the gap between designers and developers, ensuring that visual changes propagate seamlessly from design files to production code.
Developers should learn and use design tokens when building or maintaining design systems, especially in large-scale applications or multi-platform projects where visual consistency is critical. They are essential for teams adopting a design system approach, as they reduce manual updates, prevent inconsistencies, and streamline collaboration between design and engineering. Specific use cases include theming applications, supporting dark/light modes, and ensuring brand adherence across web, mobile, and other digital products.