(docs) Carbon Labs on core (#4383)

* (docs) Carbon Labs on core

* add-image

* chore: format

* Update index.mdx

---------

Co-authored-by: Alison Joseph <[email protected]>

src/pages/contributing/get-started/overview.mdx

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ designers and developers. Anyone can contribute code, design, and documentation.
 <AnchorLink>Get started</AnchorLink>
 <AnchorLink>Contribution gallery</AnchorLink>
 <AnchorLink>Carbon champions</AnchorLink>
+<AnchorLink>Carbon Labs</AnchorLink>
 <AnchorLink>Types of contribution</AnchorLink>
 <AnchorLink>The process</AnchorLink>
 
@@ -156,6 +157,38 @@ Figma<br /><br /> **Shankar Venkatachalam** <br /> Create React App<br /><br />
 </Column>
 </Row>
 
+## Carbon Labs
+
+While Carbon sets a high standard for asset stability, we do not want to stifle
+innovation. Previously, we housed unfinished explorations alongside stable
+components, which confused designers and developers about what was safe for use
+in production. To address this, we created Carbon Labs as a dedicated
+environment for explorations, separate from stable design system assets. It
+includes a separate GitHub repo and Storybook for code assets and a dedicated
+Figma space for design assets.
+
+The purpose of Carbon Labs is to highlight innovation work that’s being done in
+the ecosystem but has not yet met the
+[definition of done](/contributing/product-development-lifecycle/#definition-of-done)
+criteria. It is a community-organized incubation space for IBMers. The Carbon
+community within IBM can add assets to Labs while in the
+[Discovery phase](/contributing/product-development-lifecycle/#discovery). Types
+of projects included in Labs should be design system related such as components,
+patterns, shared utilities, or universal guidance.
+
+_For IBMer only_: For more information and a list of projects currently in
+Carbon Labs, go to
+[Carbon Labs](https://pages.github.ibm.com/carbon/ibm-products/contributing/carbon-labs/)
+under the contributing section on the Carbon for IBM Products website.
+
+<Row>
+<Column colLg={8}>
+
+![Carbon labs](images/carbon-labs.png)
+
+</Column>
+</Row>
+
 ## Types of contribution
 
 There are several ways you can contribute, depending on your interest and
@@ -172,11 +205,14 @@ in our enhancement backlog that need design or development work.
 ### New components
 
 New components are a large multidiscipline contribution and must be contributed
-in phases to insure quality and business value. To propose a net new component,
-follow the [phased contribution process](/contributing/contribution-process) and
-complete all requirements in the
+in phases to insure quality and business value. When making a net new component,
+follow the [Product Development Lifecycle](/contributing/contribution-process)
+and complete all requirements in the
 [component checklist](contributing/component-checklist). All requirement
-categories must be completed before a component can be considered done.
+categories must be completed before a component can be considered done. We
+recommend adding your component to
+[Carbon Labs](/get-started/overview/#carbon-labs) in the discovery phases of
+design and code development.
 
 ### Design kits
 

src/pages/contributing/product-development-lifecycle/index.mdx

@@ -104,6 +104,19 @@ considered for inclusion as a maintained asset in the system. Carbon is not the
 gatekeeper of the discovery phase; this phase is fully curated by the community
 and innovators.
 
+#### Add to Carbon Labs
+
+Carbon Labs is a dedicated environment for discovery, separate from stable
+design system assets. The purpose of Carbon Labs is to highlight innovation work
+that’s being done in the ecosystem but has not yet met the definition of done
+(stable) criteria. Both `draft` and `preview candidate` for design or code
+assets are welcomed in Labs.
+
+_For IBMer only_: Add your project to Labs to gain more visibility, buy-in, and
+support from the Carbon community. For more information and a list of projects
+currently in Carbon Labs, go to
+[Carbon for IBM Products](https://pages.github.ibm.com/carbon/ibm-products/contributing/carbon-labs/).
+
 #### Evaluation and next steps
 
 The Carbon team and partners will review the proposals and determine next steps.