A DESIGN LANGUAGE IS MORE THAN A VISUAL THEME

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Design systems shouldn't just enforce consistency through configurable components, because overly rigid components often force different content into the same visual shape and weaken information design. Instead, design systems should pair composable components with a design language rooted in the product's underlying model, defining the visual vocabulary, grammar, relationships, and communication patterns that help designers shape interfaces around meaning rather than templates. The most effective systems act as a shared language that enables large teams to create clear, recognizable, and context-appropriate designs while preserving coherence across the product.