---
# System prepended metadata

title: Before You Start
tags: [Before You Start]

---

---
title: Before You Start
tags: Before You Start
---

# Things you should know

The US Pharma Design System has been designed to jumpstart and streamline the creation of branded websites. Tools are available to support this process:

### Agency Onboarding Guide:

The Agency Onboarding Guide was created to give brands and AORs an introduction to working with the Design System. It covers topics like the website creation process, technology, design, handovers, and key contacts.

Your Digital Program Manager will direct you to the Agency Onboarding Guide and work with your team to manage necessary technology processes with Novartis TT partners when a new website build is commenced.

### Figma:

Figma is a cloud-based design tool that empowers cross-functional teams to work on websites in a collaborate and efficient way. Figma makes it easy to manage design, wireframing, code generation, and prototyping in real time by giving teams the ability to work on live files together. The US Pharma Design System Figma files can also help teams to gather brand assets and prepare for MLR.

Figma also has “branches” which function as open collaborative workspaces where designers can explore and iterate without disturbing existing work. Changes made in branches can be merged into main files when they are ready. This gives developers a chance to test changes in a safe way before they are deployed.

An account is required to work in Figma. Work with your Digital Program Manager to gain access to the Design System Figma file.

[Visit the US Pharma Design System Figma.](https://www.figma.com/files/1044616065022804408/team/1089191283923682843/Team?fuid=1065269569641968197)

## Version Control

The US Pharma Design System version control process communicates how changes made impact previously published versions of the system.

**Version Control Numbering**

![](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rk090xOLc.png)

Leveraging patterns from development releases, each number communicates the level of impact on the system.
* **Major:** Changes to the atomic structure
* **Minor:** Additions to the current atomic structure
* **Patch:** Updates to current atomic structure

To learn more, visit the [Version Control Figma file](https://www.figma.com/file/6csdobCbVUeuh7D4jOZyxd/06-Design-System_Notes?node-id=199%3A93978).

To learn more about what’s new and what’s on the horizon for the Design System, visit [Release](https://share.novartis.net/:w:/r/sites/USDrupalCMS/Shared%20Documents/US%20Pharma%20Design%20System/Design%20System%20Playbook%20Documentation/7.0%20Releases%20%F0%9F%94%AE/US%20Pharma-DS%20Playbook-07.docx?d=wf720d85c7c4a4ee98b3a9a8eac34a9b1&csf=1&web=1&e=7fGksm).
