Clearing the Way for Craft: Highlights from Config 2025
By Paul Evangelista
Figma
Expanding the Possibilities of Figma's Simple Design System
by Nick Villapiano June 2, 2025
I was honored to take the stage at Config 2025 last month, where I shared how our team reimagined Figma’s Simple Design System (SDS) to meet the needs of modern front-end teams working across multiple frameworks. SDS originally launched with support for React exclusively, but many modern teams — including ours — work across multiple frameworks like Vue, Angular, and even legacy stacks.
Our position as a Figma Signature Service Partner provides us with insights and opportunities to see how different players in different landscapes approach problems like these. This React-only framework constraint, along with our knowledge of current tech, inspired us to explore how web components could extend SDS’s reach and create a more flexible foundation for design and development collaboration.
“Today’s web is as much a maze as it is a marvel.”
In my session, I walked through how we refactored SDS into a single, adaptable system that works across frameworks. By using web components, we gave teams the ability to build from one shared library regardless of their tech stack, with full Code Connect support now available for HTML, React, Vue, and Angular. Developers can now access production-ready code for SDS directly from Figma, regardless of their coding environment.
What started as an internal research and development project quickly evolved into a way for us to give back to the design and development community that continues to inspire and teach us. You can explore the refactored Simple Design System, and our approach for a flexible foundation for teams looking to scale design and development across any framework, on our public GitHub: https://github.com/onenorth/sds.
Tools and tech allow for more autonomy than ever before. And while that may lead some of us to feel disconnected, I’m excited to continue exploring what’s possible at the intersection of design systems, developer experience, and the magic that comes from community collaboration.
From design systems to workflow optimization, One North helps teams get more out of Figma. We make it easier for designers and developers to work together — streamlining handoff and improving consistency across the board. Learn more about One North’s Figma capabilities today.
Photo Credit: Philippe Oursel
Nick Villapiano
Director, Front-End Development
Nick Villapiano is the Director of Front-End Development. He is responsible for leading the front-end development practice and managing its practitioners. His background in branding, UX, and project management allows him to maneuver complex spaces beyond just coding and use his wide breadth of skills and concentration in one area.
