Token Approach Guide
A living methodology for multi-dimensional design token systems.
What This Is
A methodology for building design systems using independent, orthogonal dimensions. Every component's visual appearance is the product of up to five dimensions:
| Dimension | Controls | Question it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Sentiment | Communicative intent | What does this component need to say? |
| Emphasis | Visual weight | How urgently must the user receive this signal? |
| State | Interactive condition | What is happening right now? (runtime only) |
| Size | Component footprint and internal spacing | How much space does this occupy? |
| Structure | Layout variant | What is the fixed skeleton of this component? |
Plus Theme (light/dark) as an environmental dimension.
How to Use This Guide
- Starting a new project? Read The Dimensional Model and the Composition Checklist
- Building components? Reference the Token Chain and Naming Conventions
- Choosing an approach? Compare Layered vs Flat
- Need the valid values? See the Concepts Manifest
Living Document
This guide grows as the approach evolves. Pages marked as draft are in progress. The Concepts Manifest is the single source of truth for valid dimension values — expand it when introducing new concepts rather than improvising inline.