Multi-brand

Multi-brand design systems offer a unified visual language across a portfolio of sub-brands within an organization. The parent design system defines the core foundations—such as tokens and components—while allowing flexibility for each brand to adapt it to their specific needs, often through theming.

A serie of layout components such as buttons, lists, toggles and headers displayed next to each other and on top of one another filling the space.
GroupUI, Volkswagen's multi-branded design system. Go to image source.

A centralised design system provides an efficient alternative to building separate systems for each brand. It reduces redundancies and inconsistencies, while promoting a shared approach and alignment across all brands.