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Rivac AI Labs
Design & Brand Experience

UX Architect

Design systems die at the handoff point when developers can't implement what designers drew without guessing at spacing, naming, and structure. This service builds the actual CSS architecture and implementation layer (token structures, naming conventions, layout primitives) that lets engineers build what was designed without reinterpreting it. It's for teams where design and engineering are visibly out of sync: components drift from spec, every developer names things differently, and every new feature quietly reinvents layout logic. You get a technical foundation both sides can build on, not another static style guide nobody references.

This is a capability we deliver for you as a service, not a role we’re hiring for.

How We’d Approach This

A clear, staged plan, not a black box

These are the service-specific steps inside our six-step process.

  1. 1

    Diagnose the gap between what designers hand off and what actually ships in code

  2. 2

    Architect a CSS/token structure and naming convention, piloted on one real module with the dev team

  3. 3

    Review the pilot implementation against design intent and adjust the architecture before it scales

  4. 4

    Build out the full system, document conventions, and launch it as the shared foundation for future work

What You Get

Deliverables from this engagement

  • CSS/design-token architecture and naming conventions
  • Component implementation guide for developers
  • Accessibility-checked base styles and layout primitives
  • Working starter kit or repo demonstrating the architecture
  • Documentation bridging design intent to code structure

Six Ways We Could Architect This

Different engagement, different build, pick the shape that fits

There’s more than one way to deliver on this service. Browse a few of the ways we’d structure the work, depending on your speed, budget, and integration needs.

Read all 6 architectures as text

Lean Fast-Start Architecture

Audit

  • Design Handoff Reviewed
  • Code Drift Identified
  • Pilot Module Selected

Pilot Build

  • Token Structure Drafted
  • Naming Convention Defined
  • Pilot Module Implemented

Validation

  • Dev Team Review
  • Architecture Adjusted

Rollout

  • Full Token System Built
  • Component Implementation Guide
  • Starter Kit Repo Published
  • Documentation Delivered

Cloud-Native / Managed Services Architecture

Token Layer

  • Design Tokens Source File
  • Style Dictionary Build Service
  • CSS Custom Properties Output

Managed Build Pipeline

  • Managed CI Build Runner
  • NPM Package Registry
  • CDN Hosted Stylesheet

Developer Integration

  • Component Framework Import
  • Accessibility Linting Service
  • Automated Visual Testing

Delivery

  • Hosted Documentation Site
  • Version Release Dashboard
  • Cross Team Adoption Tracking

Event-Driven & Automation-First Architecture

Triggers

  • Design Token Updated
  • Webhook to Build Pipeline
  • Pull Request Opened
  • Auto Lint and Test Trigger

Automation Layer

  • Automated Token Compilation
  • Automated Accessibility Check
  • Automated Visual Diff Test

Quality Gate

  • All Checks Passed
  • Flag Failing Checks to Developer
  • Auto Merge to Main Branch

Delivery

  • Automated Package Publish
  • Notification to Team
  • Live Documentation Updated

Enterprise-Grade & Compliance-Ready Architecture

Governance Layer

  • Architecture Review Board
  • Coding Standards Policy
  • Access Control for Repository

Secure Pipeline

  • Role Based Repository Access
  • Protected Main Branch
  • Versioned Token Repository

Auditable Build

  • Accessibility Compliance Scan
  • Peer Code Review Checkpoint
  • Change Log and Approval Record

Compliance Delivery

  • Redundant Multi Region Hosting
  • Audit Trail Export
  • Signed Off Release
  • Deprecation and Support Policy

AI-Augmented, Human-in-the-Loop Architecture

Input Layer

  • Design Files and Existing Codebase
  • Component Usage Patterns

AI Analysis Layer

  • AI Code and Token Drift Scanner
  • Draft Token Architecture
  • Draft Naming Convention Suggestions

Human in the Loop

  • UX Architect Review Session
  • Matches Design Intent and Standards
  • Flag Corrections to AI Suggestions
  • Human Approved Architecture

Delivery

  • Published to Codebase
  • Implementation Guide Updated
  • Live Product Shipped

Integration-Heavy / Ecosystem-Connected Architecture

Client Systems

  • Client Design System in Figma
  • Existing Frontend Codebase
  • Content Management System
  • Existing Build Pipeline

Architecture Core

  • Token and Naming Architecture
  • Implementation Layer Build

Two Way Sync Layer

  • Codebase Component Sync
  • CMS Style Sync
  • CI CD Pipeline
  • Marketing Site Renderer

Shared Governance

  • Joint Review with Engineering Leads
  • Published Shared Foundation

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  • Image Prompt Engineer

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Ready to get started?

Tell us what you’re trying to get done and we’ll help you find the highest-leverage place to start, scoped small enough to prove itself before you commit to anything bigger.

Talk to us about UX Architect

Most engagements like this start as a $500–$2,500 pilot, see full pricing.

Questions? Book a free call