role
UX Designer
timeline
January 2025
Problem statement
Notion is rapidly emerging as a go-to project management platform, yet users must rely on external tools like Slack for team and private communications, causing disruptions and inefficiencies.
goal
Design an integrated chat feature within Notion that enables seamless communication across private, workspace, and teamspace channels—streamlining collaboration and enhancing productivity.
Approach
To break down the wide variety of directions I could take, I explored Notion’s ecosystem and the communication challenges users face while switching between Notion and external tools like Slack. By reviewing support tickets, community feedback, and documentation, I identified key friction points and translated them into actionable design concepts.
I combined qualitative insights with competitive analysis by conducting user interviews, reviewing community discussions, and examining support materials. This helped me identify three solution paths: a full communication overhaul, a focused chat interface design, and a modular integration using Notion's strengths. After refining these options with early feedback, I chose the modular integration approach—a quick win that embeds robust chat functionality into Notion while addressing core user needs.
Process
Building on the insights from my research, I transitioned into defining and structuring the chat experience within Notion. My focus was on designing a solution that integrates seamlessly into Notion’s workflow without disrupting its simplicity.
To ensure clarity and ease of use, I structured the chat system around three key communication channels—private, workspace, and teamspace chats. This required carefully planning the user flow, refining the interface, and ensuring that each chat type served its intended purpose. By iterating on the design and testing different layouts, I aimed to create an intuitive and frictionless messaging experience that feels like a natural extension of Notion.
SOLUTION
After exploring a range of design concepts, I honed in on a direction that resonated with both user needs and Notion’s core identity. I reached out to a few support experts and power users, and their feedback was incredibly encouraging—they saw real potential in a built-in chat that could finally bridge the communication gap.
I iterated on the design, fine-tuning every detail from the layout to the language. The refined solution not only addresses the frustration of juggling multiple tools but also integrates naturally into the Notion experience. This approach promises to reduce friction and streamline collaboration, ultimately enhancing productivity across the platform.
