Design Systems
Zalando Brand Refresh app&web implementation
Role: Head of Product Design, Design System Team Leader, Workshop Facilitator
Raised design quality across complex, high-traffic product experiences for Europe's #1 fashion and lifestyle
e-commerce platform serving 50M+ active customers across 25 markets.
Key Achievements
My goal was to co-create refreshed brand guidelines and translate them into product experience via ZDS Zalando Design System. I operated at a large scale - multiple markets, millions of users, and the challenge of keeping design consistent everywhere.
I collaborated closely with the design system team, including 3 product designers, 12 software engineers, an Engineering Manager, a Product Manager, as well as the Head of Brand Design, Product Design Directors and Managers, and the VP of Design.
Partnered with Kurppa Hosk to create new brand guidelines and translate them into a digital design system — turning strategy into scalable patterns, rules, and reusable components.
Led the cross-platform redesign and created solution design documentation to support scalable implementation, including a new custom font and accessibility standards.
Partnered with senior stakeholders for consistent execution across business units
Aligned 150+ designers, product managers, engineers, and brand leaders on unified design direction via documentation and engaging communication .
Elevated design quality across apps and web for 50M+ active customers on 25 markets
Improved design system team processes and ways of working
Testimonials
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"I had the pleasure of working with Patrycja during Zalando’s Brand Refresh, where she led our Design System team through one of the most complex projects I’ve been part of. She brought structure and clarity to tight deadlines, high-risk changes, and ambitious goals — confidently guiding us through planning, reviews, execution and tough stakeholder conversations. Patrycja also designed workshops and presentations that aligned an external design agency, the brand team, and our design system team, which was key to making the project a success. Her leadership made a huge difference, and I’d highly recommend Patrycja to any team looking for a Senior design leader/head of design who thrives in complexity and brings people together to deliver at a high level."
— Gonzalo Vásquez Correa
Sr Product Designer, Zalando -
"Patrycja was a great asset during my onboarding to the design systems team, providing valuable support in my transition into Zalando. Patrycja is skilled in design and process management and was a hands-on leader to the design work and also took the lead on team retrospectives and process improvements - for example, she guided a successful migration to Jira for the Design Systems team."
— Marcia Arff
Head of Product Design, Zalando