Converge is the design system conference brought to you by zeroheight

Converge

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Gert Hengeveld

Staff Software Engineer, Chromatic

(Day 2/2, talk 03)

TALK: TESTING UI

Storybook is an industry-standard tool for building design systems. Maintaining those systems can be a challenge, but Storybook is here to help. In this talk, Gert takes you on a journey to fully utilize various testing tools and strategies, so your design system can thrive.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


Testing UI - Gert Hengeveld (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Geri Reid

Accessibility Specialist, Just Eat Takeaway

(Day 2/2, talk 08)

TALK: DESIGN SYSTEMS: NOTES IN THE MARGIN

Join Geri, a seasoned design systems explorer with 8 years of adventures under her belt, as she navigates the uncharted territories of accessibility in a major product org. With no playbook in hand, Geri’s quest is one we can all relate to: figuring it out as we go along.

In this “choose your own adventure” session, you’ll discover how the principles of design systems can illuminate a path through any new challenge. Come prepared to laugh, learn, and maybe even get a little lost as we embark on a journey of getting teams onboard with digital accessibility.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


Design systems: Notes in the margin - Geri Reid (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Elliot Jay Stocks

Author, Univeral Principles of Typography

(Day 2/2, talk 06)

TALK: A CAREER WITHOUT A DESIGN SYSTEM

Do passion projects lead to paying work? Can creative fulfillment sit alongside commercial failure? Is it possible to be successful without a plan? In this talk, Elliot designs a system in reverse, looking back at the messy paths that have led him to interesting places in his career.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


A career without a design system - Elliot Jay Stocks (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Luke Finch

Design systems consultant

(Day 2/2, talk 07)

TALK: PLAIN SPOKEN TOKENS FOR THE HEARTBROKEN

Knowing where to begin with design tokens is tough. This talk will guide you through strategies to tackle overwhelming token systems, the art of logical abstractions, and tips and tricks to set you up for success with design tokens.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


Plain Spoken Tokens for the Heartbroken - Luke Finch (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Marianne Ashton-Booth

Head of Design Systems, ITV

(Day 2/2, talk 04)

TALK: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF EFFECTIVE DESIGN SYSTEM PROCESSES

Design Systems are often an uphill battle, as rewarding as they are they can also be often exhausting and frustrating. In those moments it can be tough to find the positives, but by tuning in through resilience and focus and truly understanding those headwinds and learning how to best utilize those tailwinds to propel you forward.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


The psychology of effective design system processes - Marianne Ashton-Booth (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Nathan Curtis

Design System Consultant, Directed Edges

(Day 2/2, talk 01)

TALK: MANAGING DESIGN SYSTEMS, FROM FEATURES AND RELEASES TO ROADMAPS AND BACKLOGS

Making design system features is exciting. But what about managing assignments, tracking tasks, and discussing status? The momentum of emergent tokens and rapid Figma and code prototypes gives way to the dulling rigor of quality and collaboration across designers and developers wanting to operate independently. In order to earn trust and reach success, design systems need to sweat the details together. Managing the work need not be so daunting and tedious.

In this talk, Nathan will demonstrate the process he’s installed and evolved across the design system teams he’s led over the past ten years. Using tools like Asana and Jira, he’ll demonstrate how to organize design system work, record scope, assign and track tasks, and release features over time. Workflow challenges – repetitive reviews, quick tasks amid formal workflows, when to discuss requests – will season the tour. Whether you are a system practitioner considering how you fit or a manager refining a practice, you’ll leave inspired to refine the speed, precision and clarity of your design system process.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight)

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


Managing Design Systems: Features & Releases to Roadmaps & Backlogs - Nathan Curtis (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Natalie Hernandez

Senior Content Designer, Nordstrom

(Day 2/2, talk 02)

TALK: BEYOND DOCUMENTATION: SCALE YOUR DESIGN SYSTEM THROUGH CONTENT INTEGRATION

Design systems are often viewed as the domain of UX design and engineering. Designers craft well-rounded, accessible components that engineers then build. Designers and engineers also outline props and APIs, document usage guidelines, develop token naming conventions, and more. But design systems are supposed to be a product—so, how about we treat them that way by assigning content experts? Stop the madness of designers and engineers taking on secondary roles outside their area of expertise, leading to team inefficiencies and crankiness.

In this session, Natalie will discuss the benefits of integrating content within design systems. Drawing from her own experience, she’ll illustrate how dedicated content support allows each discipline to excel, enhances the overall user experience, and ultimately sets design system teams up for greater success.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight)

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


Beyond documentation: Scale your design system through content integration - Natalie Hernandez

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Diane Larsen

Design System Manager, Tesco

(Day 1/2, talk 03)

TALK: WHAT TO DO WHEN EVERYONE HATES YOU (AND YOUR DESIGN SYSTEM)

Designing and building out Figma libraries are a juicy design exercise. Adoption, in my experience is just hard. We pour our hearts into our work, and we operate (somewhat sub-consciously) under the assumption that our peers will love our product and see the benefits of it as much as we do. However, designers, engineers and product owners are built to challenge assumptions – and when we launched our design system, they did exactly that. In fact, we launched our design system many times over the last 8 years, and we continue to face into challenges surrounding adoption today. When driving design system adoption in a large organisation becomes your focus, and you’ve tried ‘everything’, and your users hate you, (and your design system), what do you do?

CONVERGE 2024:

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


What to do when everyone hates you (and your design system) - Diane Larsen (Converge 2024)

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Amy Hupe

Design systems consultant, Frankly

(Day 1/2, talk 05)

TALK: PERFECT PIXEL WHATEVER

Our collective ability to build sophisticated systems that deliver efficiency, scalability and precision has never been better. But services are still failing users in significant but avoidable ways. So what are we missing? How can we go beyond the edges of our design systems to push for human-centered experiences that meet real-world needs?

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.


Perfect pixel whatever - Amy Hupe (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Bianca Berning

Staff Typographer, Spotify

(Day 1/2, talk 07)

TALK: TYPOGRAPHY IN DESIGN SYSTEMS

Typography is at the heart of a cohesive user experience, especially when designing for a global audience. Join Bianca as she delves into how Encore, Spotifys Design system, leverages variable fonts for performance, while ensuring Spotify’s typography is expressive, accessible, and culturally relevant across 74 languages and 192 markets.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


Typography in Design Systems - Bianca Berning (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

David Darnes

Developer Advocate, zeroheight

(Day 1/2, talk 08)

Talk:

Web Components are a way for us to enrich standard HTML with new behaviors, by creating our own custom elements! Join Dave as he shares his past experience of creating complex design systems, as well as custom open-source tools, all with the power of Web Components.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/>

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>


Web Components: Little bits - David Darnes (Converge 2024)

Converge is zeroheight’s annual design systems conference. In 2024 we hosted a two-day, single-track event in Brighton, UK.

SPEAKER:

Koen de Greef

Design Strategist, Nederlandse Spoorwegen

(Day 1/2, talk 09)

TALK: THE FIVE STAGES OF EMBRACING ACCESSIBILITY

Companies often find that embracing digital accessibility is a journey, much like navigating the five stages of grief. In this talk, Koen explores these stages from a DesignOps perspective. Starting with denial, moving through resistance, and aiming for commitment. He will share examples of challenges you might face and practical ways to overcome them in order to work towards truly accessible design.

CONVERGE 2024

At Converge '24, we embraced a theme that extended beyond the functional boundaries of design systems—inspiring excellence in design systems. We explored the dynamic ways teams are scoring wins with their design systems. Looking ahead, we also heard about emerging trends and potential strategies that could further elevate our work.

zeroheight: <https://hubs.li/Q038m8t40>

Find us on social:

Bluesky: <https://bsky.app/profile/zeroheight.com>

LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroheight)

Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/zeroheighthq>
