Design QA might sound scary, but it’s really just about making sure your designs look the way they’re supposed to. Today, let’s explore one of the coolest parts of modern design QA: automated checks.
Gone are the days of zooming in to count pixels and manually checking color contrast. Now, tools can do that for us! Isn’t that magic?
We’ll talk about two powerful things:
- Tokens (those sneaky little design rules)
- Contrast (making sure text and colors are readable)
Let’s jump in!
What Are Tokens?
Design tokens are like building blocks. They define things like:
- Colors
- Size of text
- Spacing between things
- Font weights
- Shadows and borders
Instead of picking random values for every button or headline, designers use tokens to stay consistent. That way, your app looks polished and professional.
Imagine a world where every button uses a random blue. That would be chaos!
Tokens bring order. Devs and designers agree on them and then use them everywhere.
What Is Design QA?
Design QA checks that a website or app matches the original design. It’s like proofreading a book, but for buttons and layouts.
In the past, you had to visually inspect everything. But now, with tools and automation, we can check if:
- The wrong colors are used
- Font styles are inconsistent
- Spacing is off
- Contrast isn’t good enough for reading
How Do Automated Token Checks Work?
When devs build a product, they use code. That code should use tokens (like --color-primary or --spacing-xxs) instead of hardcoded values.
Tools can then scan your interface to see if these tokens are being followed. If someone accidentally uses a color that’s not in the token set, the tool can flag it!
Here’s what an automated token check might catch:
- Bad font size: Using 17px when the approved token is 16px
- Wrong spacing: Adding a margin of 14px when 16px was defined
- Mystery color: Input box background has a strange gray not found in the system theming
The result? Faster reviews and consistent designs across pages.
Why Contrast Matters
Design isn’t just about looking good. It’s about being usable.
Ever try reading gray text on a lighter gray background? It’s painful. Contrast makes sure every word can be read easily—even by those with poor vision.
There are even laws and standards about this! Like:
- WCAG: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
- ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
These rules say text should be easy to read against its background. Automated tools check the color contrast ratio and warn you when it’s too low.
Automated Contrast Checks in Action
Imagine your app has a button with white text on a yellow background. Might look cute, but can anyone read that in sunlight?
A contrast checker tool will measure the ratio and go:
Oops! ⚠️ Contrast is too low. Try using a darker yellow or a black text.
These checks help keep your designs accessible for everyone.
Tools to the Rescue
Now, let’s talk automation. You don’t have to code a robot yourself. Here are some awesome tools that do the job:
- Stylelint with design token plugins: Checks CSS for token usage
- Figma plugins: Like Design Lint or Tokens Studio to spot misused styles
- Storybook + Chromatic: Visual test snapshots that flag diffs
- axe-core: Checks contrast and accessibility violations on your UI
- Linting tools: Catch non-token values in your JavaScript or Sass
Most of these can be added to your workflow. They run as part of your code reviews or design exports. Set them up once, and they’ll keep working behind the scenes.
When to Run These Checks?
Great question! Ideally, all the time. But here are some smart places to plug them in:
- Before merging code: Catch mistakes early
- During CI builds: Block deployments if key design rules are broken
- On design exports: Alert designers if something custom sneaks in
The more places you check, the fewer bugs make it to your users. Plus, it trains teams to use tokens and consider contrast from the start.
Common Token Rule Violations
Sometimes, things go wrong. Here are examples of what tools might catch:
- Using
#f0f0f0instead of the approved--color-surface - Applying an 18px padding when tokens only offer 16px or 24px
- Forgotten border-radius token, leading to inconsistent rounding
These are small things, but they add up. Catching them early keeps your brand feeling unified.
Benefits Galore
Why bother automating this stuff? Let us count the ways:
- Speeds up reviews: Less checking manually
- Improves consistency: Everyone uses the same styles
- Makes devs happy: Clear rules reduce confusion
- Boosts accessibility: Better experiences for all users
- Ensures brand integrity: No sneaky colors or fonts
What to Do When a Violation Is Found?
Don’t panic. Automated tools don’t replace humans—they assist them.
Sometimes violating a token rule makes sense in a special case. But most of the time, it’s just a mistake. That’s where a designer and dev can discuss:
- Should we make a new token?
- Did someone forget to apply the style correctly?
- Was this a rush job that needs cleaning up?
Use violations as teaching moments. They help everyone level up.
Start Simple
You don’t have to set up a fancy system overnight.
Try this:
- Make a list of all your tokens (colors, spacing, etc.)
- Pick one tool that can help you check those tokens (like Stylelint)
- Add one contrast plugin to your design tool
Bit by bit, you’ll build a system that watches your design’s back.
Wrap Up
Automated checks for tokens and contrast are like friendly little bots. They help protect your design, reduce errors, and keep users happy.
By making these checks part of your everyday process, you’ll not only move faster—you’ll design better.
So go forth and debug your design! The pixels will thank you.
