Shaun Bent
@shaunbent.co.uk
👋 Engineering Leader working with Design Systems & Accessibility
⏮️ ex-Spotify & ex-BBC
🐝 Living in Manchester
🐶 I own a pug, he's old
⏮️ ex-Spotify & ex-BBC
🐝 Living in Manchester
🐶 I own a pug, he's old
Just @lucympowell.bsky.social talking about Labour and the Gorton and Denton by-election but disabling comments and quote reposts.
It’s almost like Labour wants to avoid a debate and discussion. 👎
The complete opposite approach to the engagement you get from @zackpolanski.bsky.social 💚
It’s almost like Labour wants to avoid a debate and discussion. 👎
The complete opposite approach to the engagement you get from @zackpolanski.bsky.social 💚
January 29, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Just @lucympowell.bsky.social talking about Labour and the Gorton and Denton by-election but disabling comments and quote reposts.
It’s almost like Labour wants to avoid a debate and discussion. 👎
The complete opposite approach to the engagement you get from @zackpolanski.bsky.social 💚
It’s almost like Labour wants to avoid a debate and discussion. 👎
The complete opposite approach to the engagement you get from @zackpolanski.bsky.social 💚
Reposted by Shaun Bent
My book, Accessibility For Everyone, is now free and online as a website.
accessibilityforeveryone.site
The book was first published by A Book Apart in 2017 but it holds up! It covers web accessibility for designers, developers, content folks, and really everyone who works in tech.
accessibilityforeveryone.site
The book was first published by A Book Apart in 2017 but it holds up! It covers web accessibility for designers, developers, content folks, and really everyone who works in tech.
Accessibility For Everyone by Laura Kalbag
Read the book online for free.
accessibilityforeveryone.site
January 27, 2026 at 1:14 PM
My book, Accessibility For Everyone, is now free and online as a website.
accessibilityforeveryone.site
The book was first published by A Book Apart in 2017 but it holds up! It covers web accessibility for designers, developers, content folks, and really everyone who works in tech.
accessibilityforeveryone.site
The book was first published by A Book Apart in 2017 but it holds up! It covers web accessibility for designers, developers, content folks, and really everyone who works in tech.
Reposted by Shaun Bent
Would you like to work with me? 👋🏻 I’m currently helping to strengthen the existing design systems team at Kesko and we’re looking for a nice & talented designer/developer to join us.
arielsalminen.com/2026/hiring-...
arielsalminen.com/2026/hiring-...
Hiring a Design Engineer for Kesko Design System
Hi 👋🏻, I’m Arielle, a Design Systems Architect working with Kesko. I’m currently helping to strengthen the existing design systems team in the organization and we’re looking for an experienced Design ...
arielsalminen.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Would you like to work with me? 👋🏻 I’m currently helping to strengthen the existing design systems team at Kesko and we’re looking for a nice & talented designer/developer to join us.
arielsalminen.com/2026/hiring-...
arielsalminen.com/2026/hiring-...
Why are we hiring so many designers?
I analysed 256 design system roles. The ratio of designers to engineers was telling. In my last team, we deliberately ran the inverse. If the biggest value comes from code, are we building design systems or just designing them?
I analysed 256 design system roles. The ratio of designers to engineers was telling. In my last team, we deliberately ran the inverse. If the biggest value comes from code, are we building design systems or just designing them?
Is There Too Much Design in Design Systems?
Why are we hiring so many designers? Most design system roles are design-focused, but the biggest value comes from code. Are we building design systems, or just designing them?
www.shaunbent.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Why are we hiring so many designers?
I analysed 256 design system roles. The ratio of designers to engineers was telling. In my last team, we deliberately ran the inverse. If the biggest value comes from code, are we building design systems or just designing them?
I analysed 256 design system roles. The ratio of designers to engineers was telling. In my last team, we deliberately ran the inverse. If the biggest value comes from code, are we building design systems or just designing them?
Reposted by Shaun Bent
If you're still on X: why?
I had 270,000 followers when I closed my account.
But all I lost was 200,000 bots and trolls. The real people — the funny, the decent, the smart, the interesting — are already here. They'll find you.
Leave X. Just do it. It's personal, political and societal poison.
I had 270,000 followers when I closed my account.
But all I lost was 200,000 bots and trolls. The real people — the funny, the decent, the smart, the interesting — are already here. They'll find you.
Leave X. Just do it. It's personal, political and societal poison.
January 2, 2026 at 10:31 PM
If you're still on X: why?
I had 270,000 followers when I closed my account.
But all I lost was 200,000 bots and trolls. The real people — the funny, the decent, the smart, the interesting — are already here. They'll find you.
Leave X. Just do it. It's personal, political and societal poison.
I had 270,000 followers when I closed my account.
But all I lost was 200,000 bots and trolls. The real people — the funny, the decent, the smart, the interesting — are already here. They'll find you.
Leave X. Just do it. It's personal, political and societal poison.
Happy New Year!!!! 🥳🍾🖤
January 1, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Happy New Year!!!! 🥳🍾🖤
Reposted by Shaun Bent
In design systems, change is the only constant. And thinking ahead to life after the release of our first components can positively impact how we start.
Check out @hereinthehive.bsky.social's article for the @zeroheight.com blog: zeroheight.com/blog/design-...
Check out @hereinthehive.bsky.social's article for the @zeroheight.com blog: zeroheight.com/blog/design-...
Design system change management: Change is the only constant - zeroheight
Dan Donald provides practical guidance for managing change in design systems — triage, naming, workflows, and communication.
zeroheight.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM
In design systems, change is the only constant. And thinking ahead to life after the release of our first components can positively impact how we start.
Check out @hereinthehive.bsky.social's article for the @zeroheight.com blog: zeroheight.com/blog/design-...
Check out @hereinthehive.bsky.social's article for the @zeroheight.com blog: zeroheight.com/blog/design-...
A few years back, I nearly wrote "The Fallacy of Federated Design Systems." Then @nathanacurtis.bsky.social beat me to it. But what happens when you try it anyway?
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
Why Federated Design Systems Keep Failing
Why do federated design systems keep failing? I watched it happen twice at Spotify. Here's what actually happened, where they broke down, and why centralised models usually work better.
www.shaunbent.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A few years back, I nearly wrote "The Fallacy of Federated Design Systems." Then @nathanacurtis.bsky.social beat me to it. But what happens when you try it anyway?
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
A director once showed a prototype they’d made in Figma Make and then with all seriousness told me: “I think we can reduce our engineering team by 50%”
🤡
(I laughed out loud in response)
🤡
(I laughed out loud in response)
AI won't replace you. An executive who doesn't understand AI or your job will.
November 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
A director once showed a prototype they’d made in Figma Make and then with all seriousness told me: “I think we can reduce our engineering team by 50%”
🤡
(I laughed out loud in response)
🤡
(I laughed out loud in response)
Reposted by Shaun Bent
every company in 2025
November 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
every company in 2025
Super toxic leadership stuff. 🗑️ My last place was very much leaning into this monitoring AI usage. 🤢
"CJ I'm getting a little concerned, I noticed that your AI usage is hovering around 5%" - @tolin.ski
November 13, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Super toxic leadership stuff. 🗑️ My last place was very much leaning into this monitoring AI usage. 🤢
The problem with going to an airport lounge in the UK is that it’s full of Tories. 🗑️
November 10, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The problem with going to an airport lounge in the UK is that it’s full of Tories. 🗑️
I'm in! ✅
I feel energised, engaged and for the first time in a longtime like I have a political home!
I feel energised, engaged and for the first time in a longtime like I have a political home!
Many on the right will try and belittle and undermine what’s happening.
But here’s the truth. Tens of thousands are joining Greens. Polls are at record highs. People are just starting to feel hope again.
join.greenparty.org.uk
But here’s the truth. Tens of thousands are joining Greens. Polls are at record highs. People are just starting to feel hope again.
join.greenparty.org.uk
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I'm in! ✅
I feel energised, engaged and for the first time in a longtime like I have a political home!
I feel energised, engaged and for the first time in a longtime like I have a political home!
Reposted by Shaun Bent
New! Cassetteboy vs Keir Starmer.
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
September 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
New! Cassetteboy vs Keir Starmer.
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
Reposted by Shaun Bent
Episode 062 of The Question with Jeremy Elder is LIVE. This week, we’re considering how #designsystem teams can deal with the pressure to go faster.
Answer (bit.ly/answerTheQuestion) to join the deep dive!
👏 Thank you to @zeroheight.com, the organizers of Converge, for making this one possible! 👏
Answer (bit.ly/answerTheQuestion) to join the deep dive!
👏 Thank you to @zeroheight.com, the organizers of Converge, for making this one possible! 👏
The Question is a weekly conversation for anyone seriously interested in Design Systems.
Each Monday, you’ll receive an email from me with a design system related question. You’ll have 48 hours to answer. If you choose to do so, you’ll receive an invite to the deep dive on Thursday (or Fr...
bit.ly
September 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Episode 062 of The Question with Jeremy Elder is LIVE. This week, we’re considering how #designsystem teams can deal with the pressure to go faster.
Answer (bit.ly/answerTheQuestion) to join the deep dive!
👏 Thank you to @zeroheight.com, the organizers of Converge, for making this one possible! 👏
Answer (bit.ly/answerTheQuestion) to join the deep dive!
👏 Thank you to @zeroheight.com, the organizers of Converge, for making this one possible! 👏
Reposted by Shaun Bent
It’s officially here! @ladybug.dev is back! 🐞
Buckle in for the next 10 weeks as @emmabostian.bsky.social and I cover tons of important topics on engineering management.
Welcome to Season 7!
www.ladybug.dev/episodes/a-b...
Buckle in for the next 10 weeks as @emmabostian.bsky.social and I cover tons of important topics on engineering management.
Welcome to Season 7!
www.ladybug.dev/episodes/a-b...
September 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM
It’s officially here! @ladybug.dev is back! 🐞
Buckle in for the next 10 weeks as @emmabostian.bsky.social and I cover tons of important topics on engineering management.
Welcome to Season 7!
www.ladybug.dev/episodes/a-b...
Buckle in for the next 10 weeks as @emmabostian.bsky.social and I cover tons of important topics on engineering management.
Welcome to Season 7!
www.ladybug.dev/episodes/a-b...
A parting gift to the Stockholm Design System community! 🙏 Hope to see lots of folks in Stockholm next month! 🇸🇪💚
Thrilled to announce our meetup at #Spotify! Thanks so much @shaunbent.co.uk for making it happen! 💚
Join us Sept 23 in Stockholm 🇸🇪
📍Spotify HQ
luma.com/ids-spotify
Let’s go 🥳
#designsystems
Join us Sept 23 in Stockholm 🇸🇪
📍Spotify HQ
luma.com/ids-spotify
Let’s go 🥳
#designsystems
Into Design Systems at Spotify - Stockholm, Sweden · Luma
Join us for an exciting Into Design Systems Meetup at the Spotify office in Stockholm! 🎉
You will hear from Spotify's Design System Encore and other great…
luma.com
August 29, 2025 at 9:31 PM
A parting gift to the Stockholm Design System community! 🙏 Hope to see lots of folks in Stockholm next month! 🇸🇪💚
After nearly 9 years, today was my last day at Spotify.
Working here has shaped me in so many ways, both professionally and personally. 👋
I moved to Stockholm to join the company, and that move changed my life. I met people from all over the world who shaped not just how I work, but who I am. 🇸🇪
I moved to Stockholm to join the company, and that move changed my life. I met people from all over the world who shaped not just how I work, but who I am. 🇸🇪
August 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
After nearly 9 years, today was my last day at Spotify.
Working here has shaped me in so many ways, both professionally and personally. 👋
I moved to Stockholm to join the company, and that move changed my life. I met people from all over the world who shaped not just how I work, but who I am. 🇸🇪
I moved to Stockholm to join the company, and that move changed my life. I met people from all over the world who shaped not just how I work, but who I am. 🇸🇪
Reposted by Shaun Bent
A reminder that we're kicking off @amyhupe.bsky.social's amazing talk about jargon on DS Live in TWENTY MINUTES
webinars.zeroheight.com/register/zer...
webinars.zeroheight.com/register/zer...
DS Live: Amy Hupe - A Whole Lot of Nonsense
DS Live is a new webinar series from zeroheight where we invite the best speakers from around the world to deliver talks on design systems, and everything ...
webinars.zeroheight.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A reminder that we're kicking off @amyhupe.bsky.social's amazing talk about jargon on DS Live in TWENTY MINUTES
webinars.zeroheight.com/register/zer...
webinars.zeroheight.com/register/zer...
Super great piece from Lauren, I find myself resinating with so many of the points in here.
Some of my most successful design systems work came from my worst people-pleasing tendencies. Seeking others' approval made systems flexible and widely adopted.
It left me emotionally spent and cost me my own opinion about what the system should be.
substack.com/inbox/post/1...
It left me emotionally spent and cost me my own opinion about what the system should be.
substack.com/inbox/post/1...
The biggest threat to your design system is your need to be liked
A system designed for everyone is a system that works for no one. On people-pleasing, performance punishment, and learning that I'm not for everyone.
substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Super great piece from Lauren, I find myself resinating with so many of the points in here.
After nearly 9 years living in Sweden, this week I moved back to the UK. 🇬🇧 Manchester is one of my favourite cities in the world, the culture, the music, the warmth of the people. Very excited to start the next chapter of my life here.
It’s going to take a while to get used to the view.
It’s going to take a while to get used to the view.
July 3, 2025 at 8:17 AM
After nearly 9 years living in Sweden, this week I moved back to the UK. 🇬🇧 Manchester is one of my favourite cities in the world, the culture, the music, the warmth of the people. Very excited to start the next chapter of my life here.
It’s going to take a while to get used to the view.
It’s going to take a while to get used to the view.
Reposted by Shaun Bent
"If you focus solely on achieving compliance without changing your systems (embedding accessibility into processes and culture), progress will be temporary."
Fantastic article by @dadederk.bsky.social with several great takeaways on how to create an #accessibility culture within your organisation.
Fantastic article by @dadederk.bsky.social with several great takeaways on how to create an #accessibility culture within your organisation.
If you open @smashingmagazine.com, you might (or might not) recognize the name on the latest article. 😁
Apologies in advance, it’s a long read, and there’s not a single line of code. But I’m a little bit proud of this one! ☺️
What you think?! #accessibility
www.smashingmagazine.com/2025/04/fost...
Apologies in advance, it’s a long read, and there’s not a single line of code. But I’m a little bit proud of this one! ☺️
What you think?! #accessibility
www.smashingmagazine.com/2025/04/fost...
Fostering An Accessibility Culture — Smashing Magazine
While there’s no definitive playbook for building an accessibility culture, Dani shares lessons from his experience in shaping it through habits rather than mandates.
www.smashingmagazine.com
April 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
"If you focus solely on achieving compliance without changing your systems (embedding accessibility into processes and culture), progress will be temporary."
Fantastic article by @dadederk.bsky.social with several great takeaways on how to create an #accessibility culture within your organisation.
Fantastic article by @dadederk.bsky.social with several great takeaways on how to create an #accessibility culture within your organisation.
👇 I like Stu, you should hire him.
✨hire me ✨
I'm looking for new client work. Bringing over ten years of front-end development experience and Design Systems consultancy.
Do you need help with your current codebase?
Looking to create a fresh Design System?
Wanting to update your CSS?
I'm here.
www.alwaystwisted.com
🙏🖤
I'm looking for new client work. Bringing over ten years of front-end development experience and Design Systems consultancy.
Do you need help with your current codebase?
Looking to create a fresh Design System?
Wanting to update your CSS?
I'm here.
www.alwaystwisted.com
🙏🖤
Always Twisted - Design Systems & Front-End Consultant
Hi, I’m Stu Robson, a Design Systems consultant and front-end developer helping teams create scalable, accessible systems that enhance collaboration.
www.alwaystwisted.com
April 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
👇 I like Stu, you should hire him.