Update Design principles

Why We Are Expanding Our Design Principles

To better align GitLab’s design practices with our UX strategy and company goals, we are expanding our Design Principles based on the UX Memo and UX Vision & Strategy. These principles will provide:

• Stronger alignment with GitLab’s priorities—ensuring our design work supports efficiency, usability, and experience quality at scale.
• A clear, actionable framework for decision-making—helping teams make consistent, impact-driven design choices that prioritize user needs.
• Guidance beyond UI execution—covering simplicity, rigor in design methods, user insights, meaningful impact, and iteration, ensuring a holistic, strategic approach to design.

These principles will reinforce design as a key driver of GitLab’s product success, ensuring that our work is measured not just by consistency, but by real business and user impact.

How to Provide Feedback

Please review the draft and leave comments or suggest changes where necessary. Focus your feedback on the following areas:

• Alignment: Does each principle align with the VP’s UX Strategy and company goals?
• Clarity: Is the language clear and applicable to the entire department?
• Contradiction: Is there anything that conflicts with our UX Strategy or Company Goals?

Timeframe

Please leave your comments/suggestions in this MR by Feb 27th.