Lightning Design System Basics - Learn How and Why We Developed SLDS

Questions and Answers

What was one of the primary reasons for developing the Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS)?

To simplify code for developers.

To replace existing design tools.

To focus solely on mobile app design.

To ensure coherent experiences across all Salesforce apps. (correct)

Which year marked a significant milestone with the launch of Salesforce1?

2011

2013 (correct)

2015

2017

What does the term 'design tokens' refer to in the context of SLDS?

Physical tokens given to users for app downloads.

User feedback forms for design improvements.

Project management tools used in design.

Style guide values that are compatible across systems. (correct)

Which factor was NOT a condition influencing the development of SLDS?

Increased competition from other companies. Signup and view all the answers

When did the team begin documenting a pattern library for design teams?

With the launch of Salesforce1 in 2013 Signup and view all the answers

What overarching goal did the SLDS design system team strive to achieve?

To evolve the design system alongside the company and platform. Signup and view all the answers

Which event represented a major growth period for Salesforce relevant to SLDS?

Launch of Salesforce1 mobile platform. Signup and view all the answers

What year did Salesforce experience rapid growth following the acquisition of ExactTarget?

2013 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Landmark Design System?

Building around HTML blueprints to ensure platform compatibility Signup and view all the answers

What major redesign was completed alongside the launch of the Landmark Design System?

Salesforce Classic user interface redesign Signup and view all the answers

Which functionality did the SLDS aim to enhance for sales users?

Increase selling efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What event led to the renaming of the Landmark Design System to Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS)?

The collaboration of design guidelines with the CSS framework Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge faced by the SLDS team as it expanded?

Maintaining a coherent user experience Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was among the first adopters of SLDS?

Sales Cloud Signup and view all the answers

How has feedback influenced the SLDS?

It has prompted constant updates to meet the needs of users. Signup and view all the answers

What significant step did Salesforce take in early 2016 regarding SLDS?

It added the SLDS CSS framework to the core Salesforce code. Signup and view all the answers

What notable distinction does SLDS hold in the design world?

It is the world's first open-source enterprise design system. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the broader goals of the SLDS team?

To integrate new design elements while maintaining a cohesive user experience. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Development of SLDS

Salesforce established a comprehensive design system called Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS) due to rapid growth and evolving user needs.
Initial development began in 2013, leading up to the Salesforce1 launch, signaling the necessity for coherent experiences across Salesforce applications.

Key Milestones

The term "design tokens" was introduced by the Salesforce1 engineering team to represent style guide values compatible across various operating systems and web applications.
By early 2015, the Landmark Design System was created, combining the initial pattern library with an expanded CSS framework, focusing on HTML blueprints for platform compatibility.
The Landmark Design System emphasized a consistent high-quality user experience through broad UI interaction patterns and design best practices.

Lightning Experience Launch

The Landmark Design System team redesigned Salesforce Classic into the Lightning Experience, aiming to enhance sales productivity and service user efficiency through a modern user interface.
Lightning Experience became the preferred choice for many product teams due to its comprehensive visual language.

Renaming and Adoption

In 2015, design guidelines were refined and integrated with the CSS framework, enhancing usability; SLDS was officially named and adopted across Salesforce.
Early adopters of SLDS included major products like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Salesforce Mobile, with rapid adoption witnessed throughout the company.

Transition to Open Source

Salesforce launched the first open-source enterprise design system at lightningdesignsystem.com, making SLDS accessible for external use by customers and partners.

Current Status and Challenges

By 2018, SLDS was integrated across Salesforce's platform with regular updates, maintaining a coherent user experience despite significant growth (5x in three years).
The design system faced challenges in adapting to new products, acquisitions, and technology while ensuring customer satisfaction.
Continuous feedback from users led to ongoing enhancements, helping SLDS evolve to meet emerging challenges while prioritizing cohesive user experiences.

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Description

Explore the origins and development of the Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS) as you learn about the conditions that influenced its creation and the goals set by the SLDS design team. This journey into the past will help you understand the fundamentals of this comprehensive design system.