This article, The Future of Design Systems is Automated, published on Figma’s blog and authored by Carly Ayres, explores how automation is transforming the way design systems are created and maintained. The piece discusses the increasing complexity of managing tokens, documentation, handoff, and cross-functional workflows, and argues that manual upkeep is no longer sustainable at scale. Through insights from Figma’s own team and design leaders at companies like IBM, the article presents a vision where routine tasks are delegated to intelligent systems—freeing up designers to focus on strategy, creativity, and problem-solving.
Key examples include automated documentation generation, tools like Token Studio and Style Dictionary, and advanced plugins that reduce friction in handoff and system updates. The article emphasizes how automation improves consistency, reduces errors, and accelerates collaboration between design and engineering. It highlights how automation is not replacing human designers but augmenting their work by removing repetitive tasks and making system updates less painful and more dynamic. The piece frames automation as the next evolution in system maturity—an essential response to the growing scale and complexity of modern digital products.
