When I joined Wireless, the team was getting ready to launch a new Virgin Radio website.

Due to the outdated and unmanaged library the file was at risk of self-destruction. Designers had to spend valuable time re-entering and reconstructing lost work, resulting in wasted efforts and occasional loss of knowledge. 

It was my responsibility as a Design System Advocate to rework the entire file.

I reworked the file by reconfiguring each component to ensure it aligned with the Wireless Design System, a design system I previously contributed to, supported by NewsKit.

These components would serve as the template for new brands, enabling simple re-theming and streamlined maintenance.

The primary concern was the ballooning size of the file, allowing it to become unwieldy and triggering the automatic deletion of its components.

Storing components locally rather than in a shared library posed challenges in maintaining a consistent experience across future products.

Severe performance issues within the file hindered any design work, necessitating the storage of different project components in multiple locations, making it challenging for Project Managers to gain a comprehensive overview.

I established a unified Virgin Radio Web design system gallery using the new Wireless Design System’s components powered by NewsKit. 

Using this resource, I completely reconstructed the Virgin Radio Web file, optimising it to become the primary reference for all future work.

By implementing the new design system, I effectively minimised the file size by 50%, eliminating 400 thousand layers and averting crashes and data loss.

This enhancement now allows all designers to contribute to the file, reducing fragmentation of knowledge and work.

Virgin Radio UK's launch proceeded as scheduled, and we established a sustainable system to expedite the launch of other products more efficiently than before without compromising on the quality of News UK’s products for listeners.

Furthermore, we were able to build the TalkTV website using the same structure as the Virgin Radio file. This approach drastically reduced the required design and development efforts, enabling us to expedite the TalkTV launch.
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Additionally, it ensures a uniform experience across all Wireless brands for the audience.