Figma - Design system insights with Library analytics
Figma's library analytics provides insights into how design system libraries are used across an organization. Users can access analytics through the file browser or admin settings. The analytics show which teams use specific components, how often they are used, and where styles and variables are applied. This information is crucial for library maintainers to identify frequently used assets and those that might be deprecated. Before making changes, such as updating color palettes, maintainers can assess the impact by sorting variables by recent usage and examining affected files. This helps in planning updates and avoiding breaking changes. Additionally, analytics can reveal underused component variants, suggesting potential candidates for deprecation. This tool aids in understanding design complexity and improving team support and education.
Key Points:
- Use library analytics to track component usage across teams.
- Identify frequently used and underused assets for better maintenance.
- Assess impact of design changes by reviewing recent usage data.
- Locate specific styles in files to understand their application.
- Analytics can help avoid breaking changes and improve design support.
Details:
1. 🎨 Introduction to Library Analytics
- Library analytics in Figma facilitates understanding of design system library asset usage and distribution, enabling better resource allocation.
- Insights gained include identifying where design assets are being implemented, leading to improved efficiency and consistency in design projects.
- The analytics provide actionable data that can optimize the design process by highlighting frequently used assets and areas of potential improvement.
2. 🗂️ Accessing Library Analytics
- Users can view analytics for any library within their organization, provided they have at least view access.
- There are multiple methods available to open the analytics window, enhancing user flexibility and accessibility.
- Users can access analytics through the main dashboard, library-specific settings, or direct links provided in notifications.
3. 📊 Navigating Analytics Overview
- To access Library Analytics, right-click the cover of a library file in the file browser or open the file via the browser or Resources section in Admin Settings, then use the dropdown next to the file name to open analytics.
- Understanding and utilizing Library Analytics is crucial for strategic decision-making, enabling data-driven insights that enhance resource management and user engagement.
- The analytics section provides detailed metrics and visualizations that help track file usage, engagement levels, and resource allocation efficiency.
- Familiarizing oneself with the analytics interface can lead to improved decision-making and operational efficiency, highlighting trends and patterns in library usage.
4. 👥 Understanding Usage Data
- Analyze the top teams utilizing the components from the library and their usage frequency. This helps identify key users and potential champions for further engagement.
- Assess how and where styles and variables are applied by adjusting the type drop-down menu in the analytics tab. Understanding these applications can guide optimization efforts and ensure resources are used effectively.
- Consider the implications of usage patterns on future development and support strategies, ensuring alignment with user needs and organizational goals.
5. 🔍 Insights for Library Maintainers
- Library maintainers can gain insights into which parts of their library are most frequently used or neglected by analyzing usage metrics.
- They can sort data by the number of instances used, recently inserted elements, or detached elements to identify trends and usage patterns.
- Using tools like Google Analytics or custom scripts, maintainers can track how often specific functions or features are called, helping to prioritize updates and enhancements.
- By focusing on frequently used components, maintainers can allocate resources effectively, ensuring critical parts of the library are robust and well-documented.
- Conversely, identifying underutilized elements may indicate a need for better documentation or potential deprecation, streamlining the library's offerings.
6. 🎨 Planning Design Updates
6.1. 🎨 Planning Color Palette Updates
6.2. 🚀 Implementing Design Changes
7. 🔍 Tracking Variable Usage
- Variables are prioritized by usage frequency, particularly the number of inserts over the last 30 days, allowing stakeholders to focus on high-impact areas.
- The tertiary brand text color variable is under scrutiny for updates, with its usage being meticulously tracked across various files.
- The system provides comprehensive visibility into all files utilizing a specific variable across open teams, aiding in efficient organization-wide updates.
- Users can examine specific files to understand the precise applications of a variable, facilitating targeted and accurate modifications.
8. 🎯 Locating Colors in Files
- Use Command A on Mac or Control A on PC to select all elements in a file, facilitating color location.
- Navigate to the design panel and utilize the 'show selection colors' feature to identify color usage.
- Expand the selection colors to find specific brand text and other elements, enhancing the precision of color tracking.
- Click on the target icon to highlight all instances of a specific color variable across the page, streamlining the design review process.
9. ⚠️ Assessing Impact of Changes
- Utilizing analytics can inform the impact of changes by understanding where and how assets are used. This involves collecting data on usage patterns and identifying key areas affected by changes to measure the potential impact accurately.
- Determining whether a change is minor or major can guide communication strategies and preparation for potential breaking changes. For instance, a major change might necessitate a comprehensive communication plan to ensure stakeholders are aware and prepared, whereas a minor change might involve a simple notification.
- Case studies and examples of previous changes can illustrate the effectiveness of different strategies. By analyzing past changes, organizations can learn which approaches were successful and which need improvement, thereby refining their methods for future changes.
10. 🛠️ Identifying Components for Deprecation
- Analytics tools are used to identify component variants that are rarely used, such as an unused brand variant in the title chip, marking them for potential deprecation.
- When analytics show components being frequently detached, it raises questions about the complexity of the design, whether the necessary use cases are supported, and if additional team education and support are needed.
11. 👋 Conclusion and Community Engagement
- Encourage users to share their experiences with library analytics, highlighting specific platforms or forums where they can do so.
- Request feedback on which insights have been most useful to users, suggesting structured channels such as surveys or dedicated feedback forms to gather this information.
- Foster a community dialogue through comments, providing examples of questions or topics to initiate discussions and maintain engagement.