Version Control & Design Updates

Non-Negotiable Rule

Every design standard has a version number. No designer uses outdated standards. Period.

1. Version Numbering System

Format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH (e.g., v2.3.1)

MAJOR (X.0.0)

Breaking changes to core principles

  • New wireframe structure
  • Different canvas dimensions
  • Completely new typography system
  • Rebranding requirements

Action: All existing designs must be redone

MINOR (0.X.0)

Additions or refinements

  • New platform added (e.g., TikTok)
  • Additional wireframe option
  • New color palette added
  • Enhanced approval checklist

Action: Existing designs still valid, but new work uses updates

PATCH (0.0.X)

Bug fixes or clarifications

  • Typo corrections
  • Example updates
  • Clearer wording
  • Fixed broken links

Action: No redesign needed, note for future reference

2. Change Log Requirements (Mandatory)

Every version update must document:

1
What Changed

Specific elements modified (e.g., "LinkedIn headline font size increased from 48px to 52px")

2
Why It Changed

Reason for update (e.g., "A/B test showed 23% better engagement with larger headlines")

3
Who Must Act

Impact scope (e.g., "All LinkedIn designers", "Facebook Ads team only")

4
Effective Date

When new standard goes live (e.g., "Effective immediately" or "Effective March 1, 2025")

3. Update Communication Protocol

MAJOR Updates (Breaking Changes)

  • Announce 7 days before - Give team prep time
  • Hold mandatory training session - 30-minute walkthrough
  • Create before/after examples - Show what changed visually
  • Pause new work 24 hours before - No designs started with old standards
  • Archive old standards - Mark clearly as "Deprecated v1.x"

MINOR Updates (Additions)

  • Announce 3 days before - Brief heads-up
  • Send written summary - Email or Slack with key points
  • Update internal docs - Make new version the default
  • Optional training - Designers can request walkthrough

PATCH Updates (Bug Fixes)

  • No advance notice - Push immediately
  • Post in team channel - "v2.1.3 live: Fixed typo in Section 4"
  • No training needed - Changes are clarifications only

4. Designer Compliance Tracking

Every designer must confirm they've read and understood each MAJOR or MINOR update.

Designer NameCurrent Version UsedLast Training DateStatus
Designer Av2.3.1Jan 15, 2025✓ Current
Designer Bv2.1.0Dec 1, 2024✗ Outdated (2 versions behind)
Designer Cv2.3.0Jan 10, 2025⚠ Patch available

Enforcement Rule: Designers 2+ versions behind cannot submit work until re-trained.

5. Rollback Policy (Emergency Revert)

When to rollback a version update:

  • Platform algorithm change: New standard violates updated platform rules
  • Performance drop: New designs show 15%+ decline in key metrics
  • Technical impossibility: Designers cannot execute new standard with available tools
  • Client rejection: Major client refuses new design approach

Rollback Process:

  1. Announce rollback immediately (all team channels)
  2. Revert to previous stable version (e.g., v2.2.0 → v2.1.5)
  3. Document why rollback happened in change log
  4. Schedule post-mortem meeting within 48 hours
  5. Do not attempt same update again without root cause fix