Breadcrumbs

Create a new Design System

Note: Your company may not allow this feature for all roles. Check your internal guidelines if creating a new Design System in Activator is not an option for you.


From the Dashboard go to the Design System section and click the New Design System button.

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Fill in all the mandatory data. The fields available to you may differ slightly from the shown options in the example below.

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There will be 4 Design System types to select from:

  • Master Design System (MDS)

    • Defines the global foundation: colors, typography, and components.
      Use it to maintain organization-wide design standards.

  • Brand Design System (BDS)

    • Is used to adapt global foundations to reflect a brand’s unique identity and requirements.

  • Regional Design System (RDS)

    • Is used to tailor design and content for specific regions, languages, or regulations.

  • Local Design System (LDS)

    • Is used by local teams to customize layouts and assets for country-specific needs.

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When to Create a Master Design System from a Blank Template

Choose a blank MDS when you want to build a design system from scratch with no predefined layouts, colors, or fonts.
Use this option if you’re creating a new brand, redefining your design language, or testing a new foundation independently of existing systems.

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When to Base a Master Design System on an Existing Master

Choose this option when you want to create a new Master Design System that starts as a clone of an existing MDS. It copies all structures, assets, and styles at the time of creation but has no ongoing connection to the original.

Use it if you need a similar foundation, for example, for a new brand or product family while keeping the freedom to evolve it independently. Updates made to the original MDS will not be reflected in the cloned version.


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When to Base a Brand Design System on an Existing Brand

Choose this option when you want to create a new Brand Design System that starts as a clone of an existing BDS. It duplicates all layouts, assets, and styles at the time of creation but has no ongoing connection to the original.

Use it if you need a similar setup, for example, for a related brand, campaign, or product line while keeping the flexibility to customize it independently. Updates made to the original BDS will not carry over to the new clone.

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When to Base a Regional Design System on an Existing One


Choose this option when you want to create a new Regional Design System that starts as a clone of an existing RDS. It copies all structures, assets, and styles at the time of creation but has no ongoing link to the original.

Use it if you need a similar regional setup, for example, for a new market or language, while keeping full control to adapt it independently. Updates made to the original RDS will not be reflected in the new clone.


When to Base a Local Design System on an Existing One

Choose this option when you want to create a new Local Design System that starts as a clone of an existing LDS. It duplicates all layouts, assets, and songoing tyles at the time of creation but has no connection to the original.


Use it if you need a similar local setup, for example, for a new country, market, or client, while keeping the freedom to customize it independently. Updates made to the original LDS will not carry over to the new clone