TLDR Design · OPINIONS & TUTORIALS

COMPOSITE VS SIMPLE TOKENS

designtokens.substack.com4 min read

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

In design systems, composite tokens group multiple simple tokens to define complex elements like typography styles, shadows, and borders. They enhance consistency, simplify maintenance, and ensure updates propagate system-wide. Unlike simple tokens, composite tokens encapsulate higher-level concepts and depend on atomic values. They exist at semantic or component-specific tiers within a design system.