What are design tokens in UID design?

• A. A pixel count of icons
• B. Some fonts only
• C. Variables for design decisions (colors, typography, spacing) used for consistency across platforms
• D. A type of database

Answer: (C)

Design tokens are variables that encode design decisions so they can be applied consistently across different platforms. They represent elements like colors, typography (font families, sizes, weights), spacing, radii, and shadows as reusable values. By defining these values once and using them in design tools and in code, teams keep the look and feel uniform, make theming easier (for example, switching to a dark mode), and streamline the handoff between designers and developers. Tokens aren’t limited to a single thing or tied to a specific technology; they are the centralized, consumable values that drive UI rendering across environments.

A pixel count of icons isn’t what tokens are; tokens cover broader design decisions beyond fixed measurements. Focusing only on some fonts is too narrow, since tokens include more than typography. A token isn’t a type of database; it’s a set of design values that software can reference to render consistent UI.