In my experience, selecting a consistent set of design guidelines, such as a design system or a style guide, is a small decision that has made a substantial impact on my projects. Implementing a cohesive design system from the outset simplifies collaboration among team members, streamlines the creation of new components, and ensures a uniform look and feel across the entire product. This decision drastically reduces inconsistencies in design and improves user experience, as users interact with a predictable and familiar interface. Furthermore, it aids in maintaining brand identity and has proven to be effective in speeding up the decision-making process during the design phase, as it limits unnecessary deliberations over design elements that have predefined standards. Additionally, having these guidelines in place allows for easier onboarding of new team members, as they can quickly assimilate into the established framework and contribute to the project’s objectives much sooner.