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Design SystemNative AppsCross-Platform
Sky – Orion Design System
Client
Sky UK Limited
Year
2018 - 2020
Services
Design Systems, Mobile App Design (iOS & Android), Accessibility, Cross-Platform UX, Design Documentation & Collaboration
Tools
SketchInVisionConfluence
Project overview
Sky set out to expand its Orion design system beyond web to support native mobile platforms, with the long-term goal of creating a unified, scalable system across apps, websites, and even TV interfaces. This project focused on defining mobile-specific components, improving accessibility, and aligning design with development through consistent naming and documentation practices.
The Challenge
Existing web-based components didn't translate well to mobile, and there was no shared mobile toolkit that followed native platform guidelines. Accessibility considerations were inconsistent, and handoff between design and development lacked a common structure. A key technical objective was to define a component naming convention that could feed into Sky's internal AI algorithm — the 'Sky namespace' — which would eventually allow the system to recognise and manage components automatically. The bigger ambition was to establish a single source of truth that could scale across teams, products, and platforms.
The Solution
We proposed a new set of components specifically for iOS and Android, based on native platform guidelines and accessibility standards. Alongside this, we established a shared naming system to ensure consistency between design and development. These components were documented clearly, with properties linked to specific product requirements, allowing for more reliable implementation and future reuse. To support adoption and collaboration, we created an internal toolkit for designers using Sketch and ran regular workshops to align stakeholders around ways of working, design principles, and system structure.
Orion design system overview showing component hierarchy
Native iOS components and patterns
Android-specific design elements
Technical Approach
• Partnered with UX, research, and development teams to define and design core components
• Built a shared design toolkit in Sketch tailored to mobile apps
• Documented component specs and behaviour for developers and business analysts
• Led fortnightly workshops to align teams around naming, scalability, and cross-platform thinking
• Delivered training across departments to educate teams on design system best practices
• Created an interactive prototype in InVision to demonstrate how Orion could evolve into a centralised internal design hub
Project Impact & Reflection
I took the lead in documenting and visualising how the Orion design system could function as a true internal resource. This included building a detailed InVision prototype that was shared across the organisation. It helped communicate the vision of Orion as a scalable system and encouraged wider team involvement.
Eventually, both the web and TV teams joined the initiative and began contributing their own components into the shared InVision workspace — a sign that Orion had become a collaborative, cross-team system with real momentum. It was exciting to see a design system move beyond a toolkit and start becoming a strategic asset for the business.
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