Thomas Archer is a boutique custom home builder in Melbourne. Their website redesign stalled after inconsistent design files created friction between design and development. I was brought in through Relab Studios to resolve the issues and ensure the project could move forward.
The original Figma files were visually strong but not built for digital use. Elements were created individually instead of as reusable components. Styles and colours varied widely, and complex effects made development slow and frustrating. This caused confusion, wasted time, and rising frustration, putting the project at risk.
Deadlines were already looming when I joined. The project needed a complete design overhaul without losing the integrity of the brand identity. Developers required consistent, practical files that could translate smoothly into code. Coordination across the three parties had to be managed carefully to prevent further delays.
At the start I tried to fix everything at once. Typography, spacing, colour styles and components were all being reworked in parallel. This spread the effort too thin and delayed giving developers what they needed most.
I worked with the project manager to restructure the workflow into three stages. Stage one delivered the key pages and core components that repeated across the site. Stage two refined supporting styles, and stage three covered less critical elements. This approach gave developers the essentials first, unblocked progress, and built momentum for the rest of the project.
I rebuilt the design system with clarity, consistency, and usability in mind. Components replaced standalone elements, styles were rationalised, and naming conventions were standardised. Every page was redesigned in Figma to balance aesthetics with development feasibility. I ensured the system worked for Sparrow’s developers and allowed Relab to manage handoff efficiently between client and development teams.
I led the redesign of the Figma files into a fully functional design system. This included creating reusable components, refining styles, typography, spacing and standardising naming conventions. I collaborated closely with developers to validate feasibility and usability, coordinated handoff with the project manager, and aligned the work across the client, Relab, and Sparrow to ensure smooth delivery.
The new system resolved the confusion and slowed-down development. Collaboration between all parties became smooth and predictable. The website could now be built faster, maintained more easily, and scaled confidently for future updates.
“The redesign solved the communication breakdown between design and development. The new system is clean, consistent, and easy to work with. It elevated both the process and the end result.”
Alvin S.
