Building design system

How to unify inconsistent brand content?

How to unify inconsistent brand content?

Content Workflow Optimization

Content Workflow Optimization

Upon joining the team, content creation lacked clear guidelines and was heavily reliant on individual discretion. This undermined brand consistency, hindered effective tracking, and gradually eroded long-term brand value. This project aimed to diagnose these issues, then establish a systematic framework and templates to revolutionize content production efficiency and overall brand quality.

Is a design system only necessary for companies with lots of design resources?
While building the design system at Lycle Company, I realized that fast-moving startups actually need a system even more.
I wanted to take a step back and lay out why I decided to build a design system, how I approached the process, and the challenges I ran into along the way.

#Content_Strategy

Product Designer @Lycle

#Brand_guideline

Product Designer @Lycle

#Content_Design

Product Designer @Lycle

Identifying the Problem

Inefficiency Driven by Unregulated Content Production

  1. Research and Understanding

  • Many creators worked in different styles, which made our brand voice and identity unclear.

  • This confused our users and weakened our brand image.

  1. Slow & Inefficient Workflow

  • We had to start every project from zero, wasting too much time on planning and design.

  • Constant back-and-forth edits made it hard to meet deadlines and tired out the team.

  1. Hard to Track Results

  • Without set rules, it was difficult to see which design parts actually worked for our users.

  • This made it hard to find winning patterns and plan for future content.

Lack of guidelines hinders efficiency and brand experience

Solution 01

Separation of Object and Content Areas

To establish structural order, I redefined the placement of previously disorganized elements.
By assigning dedicated zones for key subjects and logically isolating content areas, I prevented visual distraction and maximized the clarity of information delivery.

Example of Systematic Content Placement

Solution 02

Gradient Overlay for Readability

I implemented an overlay system to ensure message exposure remains unaffected by visual noise in background images.
This secures text visibility while maintaining the overall mood, successfully balancing high-end aesthetics with functional communication.

Example of Gradient Overlay System

Solution 03

Standardized Templates & Multi-Composition Design

Values that previously relied on individual discretion were standardized into templates for margins and padding.
By designing versatile composition modules, I built a production environment where brand identity remains robust across all content types.

Example of margins & padding compositions standard

Content Design Templates

Examples of promotion image banner

Examples of compositions balancing brand consistency

Examples of banner variants

Example of versatile template layouts

Reflection

Is a design system only necessary for companies with lots of design resources?
While building the design system at Lycle Company, I realized that fast-moving startups actually need a system even more.
I wanted to take a step back and lay out why I decided to build a design system, how I approached the process, and the challenges I ran into along the way.

Building a System for Growth

More than just a quick fix, this project focused on scaling the team’s overall content capabilities. By establishing a robust system of templates, we shifted from rigid rules to a creative foundation that empowers the team to design with purpose. Moving forward, I will continue refining this framework to keep our brand experience optimized and agile in a fast-paced digital environment.

Copyright © 2026 Jaewan Byun All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2026 Jaewan Byun. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2026 Jaewan Byun

All rights reserved.