Open source design: The future of collaboration?
Introduction
The concept of open source design refers to creating and iterating on visual design assets like logos, fonts, UI kits, and more in public repositories. Much like open source software development, open source design enables collaborative innovation by allowing designers to openly build off of and modify each other's work.
In this article, we'll explore the rise of open source design, discuss the benefits of open collaboration for creators, examine key challenges and how projects overcome them, and envision the future possibilities of community-driven design. With the prominence of open design communities like Mozilla's Open Design repo and platforms like Figma promoting open source workflows, the practice of "designing in the open" is gaining steam.
As a launchpad promoting open source developer tools, DevHunt recognizes the power of open collaboration to drive progress. By highlighting the growth and potential of open source design, we hope to showcase how the transparent and participatory values of open communities will shape the future of creative work. Let's dive in!
The Rise of Open Source Design
While open source design may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, its origins trace back over a decade. One seminal open design project was Mozilla's 2009 rebrand, which involved public feedback and open collaboration with external designers. Other early efforts included open creative communities like OpenLab and the rise of open source design tools like Inkscape.
Over the years, adoption of open practices has expanded across the design industry. Well-known communities like Mozilla's Open Design repo, Ubuntu's open design guidelines, and Wikimedia's evolving style guide showcase collaborative development of design systems in the open. On the software side, tools like Figma, Inkscape, Blender, Krita, and GIMP have embraced open source models.
Compared to traditional closed models of design, open workflows offer benefits like transparency, reduced duplication, and easier remixing of existing work. But most importantly, open source design taps into the collective potential of communities to fuel innovation.
Prominent Communities
- Mozilla's Open Design Repo - Reference designs and assets for Firefox and Mozilla projects with over 500 contributors
- Inkscape - Popular open source vector graphics editor with over 1 million downloads per year
- Wikimedia Design Style Guide - Living style guide for Wikipedia and related projects in over 300 languages
- Ubuntu - Open source operating system with community-created design guidelines used by over 20 million users
- Material Design - Google's open source design language for digital interfaces used on Android and the web
Popular Open Source Tools
- Figma - Collaborative UI design tool with open file format used by 15+ million users
- Inkscape - Vector graphics editor for illustrations and icons with 500,000+ users
- GIMP - Open source image editor alternative to Photoshop with over 3 million downloads
- Blender - 3D modeling and animation tool with open source codebase and 2+ million users
- Krita - Digital painting and concept art software for illustrators with 1+ million downloads
The Power of Open Collaboration
At its core, open source design enables collaborative innovation by bringing together the skills and perspectives of a diverse community. Designers can openly build on each other's work, which fuels rapid iteration. For example, the Ubuntu community continuously iterates on desktop environments, icons, and themes based on user feedback and contributions.
The transparency of public design repositories also facilitates experimentation and prevents duplicating work. When Mozilla rebranded in 2009, they reduced duplicated effort by consolidating logo ideas from the community into a single public project.
Beyond specific projects, open principles influence workflows and cultures. Designing in the open means iterating publicly, engaging communities for feedback, and promoting reuse of assets. The result is a participatory process where anyone can contribute to collective progress.
Case Studies
- Mozilla's rebrand - Crowdsourced logo ideas and open design process with over 1,000 contributors
- Wikimedia's design evolution - Community input on 50+ language versions of Wikipedia from editors globally
- WordPress's theme ecosystem - Thousands of open source themes built by the community in a public directory
- jQuery UI's theme gallery - Open ecosystem of user interface themes and widgets built by 200+ developers
- Elementor's community designers - Plugins and assets created by their open community of over 300,000 users
Designing in the Open
- Iterating designs publicly
- Encouraging user feedback
- Engaging the design community
- Promoting design assets reuse
- Facilitating community contributions
Challenges of Open Source Design
For all its benefits, open collaboration also poses challenges. Openly iterating designs can hamper brand consistency and control. Reaching consensus is difficult with diverse viewpoints, and open systems suffer from design inconsistencies.
Contributors may feel disconnected without centralized processes. Larger communities like Ubuntu's experience chaos without coordination frameworks. For projects to scale, they must balance openness with governance.
Strong norms and communication channels help align efforts. Maintainer oversight and regular design reviews ensure quality. Clear documentation and contribution guidelines empower new designers.
With good project coordination, open communities can surmount these challenges. Structure coupled with openness unlocks collaborative potential.
Project Coordination
- Central style guides
- Strong community norms
- Maintainer oversight
- Communication channels
- Regular design reviews
Managing Contributions
- Quality control processes
- Onboarding for new contributors
- Documentation of standards
- Bug/issue triage
- Code reviews and mentoring
The Future of Open Source Design
As designers increasingly work in the open, we can expect to see even faster progress and innovation in the creative space. Open source design tools will evolve rapidly, as communities collectively guide their development. We'll likely see open design practices spread beyond software to other industries like architecture and industrial design.
Ultimately, the transparent and participatory values of open source design will shape the future of creative work. The full potential of communities, when open frameworks connect their efforts, is limitless. Open design points towards a more collaborative paradigm for creation, where everyone can build on great ideas to drive innovation.
For example, the DevHunt community could potentially collaborate to improve developer tool profiles and the homepage design through open contributions. By embracing open principles, the platform can tap into the collective skill of its users to rapidly iterate.
Conclusion
Open source design brings immense creative potential, enabling transparent and participatory workflows. The growth of open design communities and tools points to a collaborative future for creative work. While open systems pose coordination challenges, proper governance and contribution frameworks allow communities to thrive.
At its core, open source design maximizes collective potential. By embracing open practices, designers tap into communal skill and perspective. They gain the freedom to remix and iterate on great ideas. Collaboration drives progress when communities openly build on each other's work. Open design heralds a new paradigm of creation, where participation fuels innovation.
DevHunt, as a launchpad for open source developer tools, recognizes the transformative power of these collaborative values. By designing in the open, we can create better products, faster. The future is open - learn more about getting involved today.