In this stage, designers or teams are beginners who adhere strictly to established design principles and guidelines. They follow the existing design system and templates, aiming to learn the fundamentals and gain a solid understanding of the rules and conventions. At this stage, creativity might be limited, but it helps build a strong foundation.
In the "Ha" stage, designers have developed a deep understanding of the design system and are now skilled enough to start innovating and experimenting. They have internalized the principles and can intelligently deviate from them when necessary, while still maintaining a cohesive user experience. This stage encourages exploration and adaptation to different contexts.
At the "Ri" stage, designers have reached a level of mastery where they can transcend the design system itself. They have such a profound understanding of design principles that they can create entirely new paradigms and approaches that may not adhere strictly to the previous rules. This is the highest level of mastery, achieved by only a few, and it involves creating new design principles for unique situations.