a black and white background with wavy lines

EDITION

Special #33

Planes, Trains and Design Systems

Hi there, This is the thirty third edition of D&T Special, a more in-depth view of topics that interest the Canvs team. Today's topic - Planes and how they inform design system excellence.

Note: If you are new here, we'd strongly recommend subscribing to the newsletter so you don't miss out on future updates. You can subscribe here.

✍️ From the Canvs Research & Editorial Desk

Ever wondered how aviation principles can shape the way we design digital systems? From intuitive usability to scalable frameworks, the skies hold lessons for us all.

This week the Canvs R&E team has spent some time pondering this concept, let’s dive into some details.

What planes teach us about design systems

In aviation, safety and efficiency are paramount. The meticulously standardized design of cockpits ensures seamless operation, regardless of aircraft type. Similarly, digital design systems can draw inspiration from these principles to create cohesive, scalable, and intuitive frameworks that enhance user experience.

Aviation relies on standardization, usability, scalability, and detailed documentation to maintain safety and efficiency. Standardized symbols, layouts, and guidelines allow pilots to operate multiple aircraft with ease. These same principles can be applied in design systems to reduce errors, improve collaboration, and scale effortlessly. By incorporating feedback loops, regular updates, and training, both aviation and design systems maintain their effectiveness as they evolve.

### Key takeaways from this read:

#### 1. Standardization for Consistency

Aviation demonstrates the importance of cohesive design through standardized controls and displays. Design systems can achieve similar consistency, enabling seamless cross-platform experiences and effective collaboration among teams.

#### 2. Intuitive Usability

Cockpits are designed for quick, intuitive understanding in high-pressure environments. Digital interfaces should mirror this focus on usability, reducing the learning curve and enhancing productivity for users.

#### 3. Scalability with Flexibility

Aviation systems adapt to new technologies while maintaining coherence. Likewise, modular design systems ensure scalability without compromising usability as products grow in complexity.

📰 In other news

Duelling Arguments Take Shape in the TikTok-Ban Case

It’s 2025. Let’s Stop Grading Generative AI on a Curve

AI’s Global Impact in 2024 — Beyond Silicon Valley

Passkey Technology Is Elegant, but It’s Most Definitely Not Usable Security

OpenAI Failed to Deliver the Opt-Out Tool It Promised by 2025

✨ Product find of the week

Soundbounce- Using tennis waste for good product design

Soundbounce is a material that merges sound, design, and ecology. Crafted to soundproof interior spaces, it repurposes discarded tennis balls into sensory design elements, including wall paneling, furniture, and acoustic partitions. Each square meter of Soundbounce incorporates approximately 283 tennis balls, upcycling the equivalent of 8.5 kg of CO2.

Some highlights from the past month of D&T

Google Says Its New Quantum Chip Indicates That Multiple Universes Exist

Accelerating the Next Wave of Nuclear to Power AI Innovation

OpenAI Releases Emails Showing Elon Musk Asked for Control of Company

And that's the lot! Thanks for checking out what we had to share with you this week, we shall catch up with you next Wednesday. Incase you aren't subscribed to the newsletter, you could subscribe here.

Also, please do let your friends know about D&T if they'd be interested! Canvs Club

Broad brush strokes on a canvas

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE

Get a weekly digest in your inbox, every wednesday.