UI consistency is nice, but the reduced design space is also kinda boring. I guess balancing a unified look while keeping enough freedom for developers to express their ideas is a pretty hard job for the toolkit designers.
Developer here. I can confirm that it’s harder and more time/effort-expensive to build a UI framework or design system or custom component than using existing ones. I absolutely abhor working with designers who think that software design is about the freedom of expression of their personal creativities and tastes instead of the pragmatic, simple execution of fulfilling a business need both for the business and the customers.
Design systems should not exist in a silo. Design systems should be consistent across a platform, so if you want to practice your freedom of expression, make your own platform. Or, design a website, where there are hardly any constraints.
