# Designing Slack's VIP unread messages feature

DevFeed: [Designing Slack's VIP unread messages feature](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/raising-the-volume-quietly-a-designer-s-challenge-9154.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://slack.design/articles/raising-the-volume-quietly/>)

Author: andyacevedo

Published: 2025-05-22T08:00:38Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Slack Design](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/slack-design.md>)

Topics: [Slack](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/slack.md>), [Messaging](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/messaging.md>), [Testing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/testing.md>)

Tags: [cognitive-load](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cognitive-load.md>), [design](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/design.md>), [feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/feature.md>), [navigation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/navigation.md>), [prototyping](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/prototyping.md>), [slack](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/slack.md>), [testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/testing.md>), [uncategorized](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/uncategorized.md>)

## AI overview

A Slack design article explains how the team developed VIP unreads to help users prioritize messages from specific people without permanently reorganizing the sidebar. Through prototyping and testing, the team chose to temporarily elevate new VIP messages and selected the name "VIP" for clarity and memorability.

## Source excerpt

You spoke, and we listened. While working in Slack, there's always a lot going on: you may be added to a new channel, mentioned by your manager in another channel, and direct-messaged by a colleague - all while more unread badges multiply in your sidebar. It can be tricky to tell what's urgent and important [...] The post Raising the Volume Quietly: A Designer's Challenge appeared first on Slack Design.