# Slack Design A collection of articles and resources from the design team at Slack. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Product Quality: A Shared Commitment to Craft in the wake of AI DevFeed: [Product Quality: A Shared Commitment to Craft in the wake of AI]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: kmena Published: 2026-07-17T19:45:23Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Usability](), [User interface design](), [Software]() Tags: [design](), [engineering](), [product-development](), [slack](), [software](), [uncategorized](), [usability]() ### AI overview Slack argues that product quality is a shared commitment to craft: making software polished, responsive, attractive, simple, powerful, and useful. The article frames utility, usability, and feel as connected qualities, and explains why organizational incentives, subjective standards, and competing craft languages make consistent quality difficult to achieve. ### Source excerpt Slack is a loved product, and that's not an accident In 2013, Stewart Butterfield wrote what amounted to a promise: "You're buying a commitment to the craft of making high quality software: polished, responsive, attractive, simple, powerful, and, above all, useful. You're buying attention to detail that saves you time and makes your life just [...] The post Product Quality: A Shared Commitment to Craft in the wake of AI appeared first on Slack Design. ## We Didn't Teach Our Designers AI: We Built a Place Where They Could Learn It Together DevFeed: [We Didn't Teach Our Designers AI: We Built a Place Where They Could Learn It Together]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2026-07-08T09:00:10Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](), [Slack]() Tags: [2025](), [2026](), [ai](), [ai-tools](), [beginner](), [enablement](), [learn](), [slack](), [training](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview Slack Design describes how it created a collaborative learning environment to help designers become comfortable using AI. Beginning with a Slack channel and informal training in early 2025, the initiative evolved in 2026 into design-focused enablement programming and Builder Days where designers, engineers, and product managers built together with AI. ### Source excerpt The Question We Kept Hearing "How do I use AI?" That question, typed in a DM rather than asked out loud, told us everything. Our design team was not short on curiosity. What was missing was somewhere to be a beginner. A space where not knowing wasn't a liability, but the whole point. So we [...] The post We Didn't Teach Our Designers AI: We Built a Place Where They Could Learn It Together appeared first on Slack Design. ## How I Validated Design Decisions Before Writing Production Code DevFeed: [How I Validated Design Decisions Before Writing Production Code]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2026-06-04T01:29:47Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [AI-assisted coding](), [Data visualization](), [Algorithms](), [Figma]() Tags: [ai-assisted-coding](), [algorithms](), [data-visualization](), [figma](), [projects](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview A Slack designer explains how AI-assisted coding can make design exploration practical before production work begins. Interactive prototypes tested gallery layout algorithms and max-width strategies against real screen-size data, revealing edge cases and helping evaluate which decisions hold up across conditions. ### Source excerpt The biggest shift AI has brought to design isn't that designers can now write production code. It's that we can finally generate evidence before committing to anything. There's a lot of conversation about AI affecting production: designers pushing code and shipping something closer to the final product. That matters. But the bigger opportunity is even [...] The post How I Validated Design Decisions Before Writing Production Code appeared first on Slack Design. ## Designing Where the Pixels Actually Live DevFeed: [Designing Where the Pixels Actually Live]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2026-05-27T18:12:34Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](), [Figma](), [Slack](), [cursor](), [MCP](), [Code]() Tags: [ai](), [code](), [cursor](), [figma](), [how-we-work](), [mcp](), [slack](), [workflow]() ### AI overview A Slack designer describes using AI tooling, Cursor, and Figma's MCP integration to move interactive design work into code while developing Slack's keyboard-driven search experience. The article presents this as a gradual workflow change that helps test nuanced interactions such as focus management, keyboard navigation, scrolling, and content reflow. ### Source excerpt For most of my design career, Figma was where the real work happened. I'd design screens, build prototypes, then hand off the designs for someone else to build. If something felt slightly wrong in production, we'd go back and forth trying to articulate what "it should feel like" in words. This process worked well enough, [...] The post Designing Where the Pixels Actually Live appeared first on Slack Design. ## Leading design through the AI shift DevFeed: [Leading design through the AI shift]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2026-05-21T16:47:34Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](), [AI-assisted coding](), [Code](), [Data analysis](), [Low-Code / Internal Tools](), [Tooling](), [ui]() Tags: [agents](), [ai](), [ai-tools](), [coding-agents](), [data-analysis](), [figma](), [internal-tools](), [ui](), [uncategorized](), [workflow]() ### AI overview A Slack Design leader describes how AI is changing the team's design workflow, including the use of coding agents for data analysis and rapid prototyping, code-based demos, and designer-built internal tools. The article emphasizes combining AI tools with human judgment and taste while acknowledging increased stress, uncertainty, and ethical questions. ### Source excerpt AI has eaten the technology industry. What started as a slow, hallucination-prone chatbot has become something much harder to ignore. As a designer, it can feel like the ground is shifting under your feet, quietly at first, then all at once. Every week, something new disrupts your workflow, your toolset, your expectations about what's possible. [...] The post Leading design through the AI shift appeared first on Slack Design. ## No Small Task: Evolving the Way Millions Catch Up in Slack DevFeed: [No Small Task: Evolving the Way Millions Catch Up in Slack]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2026-04-09T17:06:52Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack]() Tags: [design](), [notifications](), [slack](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview Slack Design describes how the team evolved the Activity tab into Activity 2.0, aiming to help users catch up on and triage work in one place. The article explains the limitations of Activity 1.0 and the research-driven iteration behind the redesign. ### Source excerpt Everyone has felt it: the anxiety of returning to Slack after a meeting, unsure where to start. Which channels have updates that matter? Did someone mention you? Are there DMs waiting? For years, staying caught up in Slack has meant jumping between surfaces, trying to piece together what needs your attention. This universal feeling of [...] The post No Small Task: Evolving the Way Millions Catch Up in Slack appeared first on Slack Design. ## How to Make a Big Impact with a Small Team: Design Ops at Slack DevFeed: [How to Make a Big Impact with a Small Team: Design Ops at Slack]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2025-09-05T15:54:34Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Canvas]() Tags: [business](), [canvas](), [design](), [how-we-work](), [slack](), [strategy](), [team]() ### AI overview Slack describes how its small Design Operations team prioritizes work, aligns with company and design leadership goals, and scales programs to create broader impact across business, people, and product. ### Source excerpt Design Operations is all about helping designers do the best work of their lives. Our job is to clear the path so designers can focus on what they do best: design. At many tech companies, you'll find a more traditional embedded model--one Design Program Manager (DPM) per major product area. But in a lean team [...] The post How to Make a Big Impact with a Small Team: Design Ops at Slack appeared first on Slack Design. ## Designing Slack's VIP unread messages feature DevFeed: [Designing Slack's VIP unread messages feature]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2025-05-22T08:00:38Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Messaging](), [Testing]() Tags: [cognitive-load](), [design](), [feature](), [navigation](), [prototyping](), [slack](), [testing](), [uncategorized]() ### 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. ## Crafting Digital Delight: Inside Slack's Studio Team DevFeed: [Crafting Digital Delight: Inside Slack's Studio Team]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2025-05-15T14:54:44Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Design system]() Tags: [animation](), [design](), [design-system](), [design-systems](), [development](), [leadership](), [mobile](), [patterns](), [prototype](), [slack](), [standards](), [teams](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview Slack's Studio Team brings visual design, motion, and storytelling expertise into product design to create distinctive moments of delight across Slack. The team collaborates with product, leadership, Creative, Design Systems, and other functions throughout product development. ### Source excerpt Remember when you first heard that soothing music while joining a Huddle? Or watched the catch-up animation dance across your mobile app? Maybe you've been charmed by a friendly message and quirky emoji after clearing your unread messages, or enjoyed the ability to have full conversations with colleagues via custom emojis alone. These aren't happy [...] The post Crafting Digital Delight: Inside Slack's Studio Team appeared first on Slack Design. ## Mentorship at Slack: Lessons from a Thriving Program DevFeed: [Mentorship at Slack: Lessons from a Thriving Program]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2025-03-03T18:28:34Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Accessibility]() Tags: [mentorship](), [program](), [slack](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview Slack Design shares lessons from its six-month mentorship program, emphasizing simple participation, adaptable structure, accessibility across career stages, and personalized support for participants. ### Source excerpt With an impressive 80% participation rate, one thing we attribute to the wild success of Slack Design's mentorship program is simplicity. We've designed it to be easy to engage with, striking a balance between structured guidance and the flexibility to evolve based on the needs of participants. Next? Accessibility. We believe that mentorship is a [...] The post Mentorship at Slack: Lessons from a Thriving Program appeared first on Slack Design. ## Should we make it a preference?: On customization, defaults, and accessibility DevFeed: [Should we make it a preference?: On customization, defaults, and accessibility]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2025-01-23T18:28:29Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Accessibility](), [User interface design](), [Slack]() Tags: [accessibility](), [customization](), [keyboard](), [screen](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview Slack Design explains when accessibility accommodations should be defaults rather than optional preferences. It argues that new users should receive an accessible experience out of the box, while preferences should support advanced customization and preserve familiar behavior during significant changes. ### Source excerpt Design that is inclusive and accessible almost always works better for everyone. But once in a while we reach a genuine dilemma -- the more technically accessible choice adds friction or breaks expectations for everyone else. In these moments, someone inevitably asks: Can we just make it a preference? "Make it a preference" is sometimes [...] The post Should we make it a preference?: On customization, defaults, and accessibility appeared first on Slack Design. ## Prototyping the path to Design Engineering DevFeed: [Prototyping the path to Design Engineering]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2024-10-23T20:44:22Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [User Experience](), [Front end](), [Tooling](), [Development]() Tags: [design-engineering](), [development](), [prototyping](), [slack](), [tooling](), [ui](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview Slack describes how it developed dedicated design engineering roles focused on prototyping, tooling development, and consultancy. The article explains the Design Engineering Champions program, which lets front-end engineers work within the design organization for a half or full quarter. ### Source excerpt If you work in design, you've probably already heard of design engineering. It's not a new concept, and similar roles -- such as Design Technologists, UI/UX Engineers, and Creative Technologists -- have existed in software development for decades. These roles typically involve individuals with high proficiency in both design and engineering, tailored to meet organizational [...] The post Prototyping the path to Design Engineering appeared first on Slack Design. ## Prioritizing craft in Recap, our newest AI-powered feature DevFeed: [Prioritizing craft in Recap, our newest AI-powered feature]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2024-09-26T19:19:38Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [User interface design](), [ui](), [Mobile]() Tags: [ai](), [collaboration](), [design](), [motion-design](), [process](), [product](), [slack](), [ui](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview A Slack Design article explains how the team prioritized craft while launching Recap, a Slack AI feature that provides daily channel summaries. It describes the emphasis on simplicity, accessibility, intentional interaction details, collaborative design work, and lessons for future AI features. ### Source excerpt Think about your experience using other products. What made them feel good to use? With the launch of Recap -- our new Slack AI feature that provides daily summaries of channels you want to keep tabs on but aren't active in -- we knew it had to go beyond just working as expected. Functionality is [...] The post Prioritizing craft in Recap, our newest AI-powered feature appeared first on Slack Design. ## How we developed a better way to learn at Slack Design DevFeed: [How we developed a better way to learn at Slack Design]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2024-07-22T21:55:05Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Learning](), [Canvas]() Tags: [canvas](), [knowledge-sharing](), [learn](), [slack](), [uncategorized](), [workshops]() ### AI overview Slack's design team describes how its Culture Squad created Design Moves, a weeklong internal learning program centered on storytelling. The program used team-generated content, discussions, hands-on activities, and Slack features including clips, huddles, and canvas. ### Source excerpt Let's face it: besides "let's take this offline," the word culture is one of the most overused pieces of corporate jargon. And if you're in any sort of people operations role, it's practically written in your job description to uphold a strong team culture. But how exactly do you do that in a way that [...] The post How we developed a better way to learn at Slack Design appeared first on Slack Design. ## Craft in design: What it is & why it matters DevFeed: [Craft in design: What it is & why it matters]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andyacevedo Published: 2024-06-26T17:25:44Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [User Experience](), [Usability](), [User interface design](), [Software Engineering](), [Slack]() Tags: [article](), [design](), [experience](), [slack](), [software](), [software-design](), [uncategorized](), [usability](), [user-experience]() ### AI overview The article defines craft in software design and explains how it complements utility and usability. Using Slack's product principles, it argues that craft shapes how a product feels, supports intuitive and dependable experiences, and can contribute to positive emotional responses and customer loyalty. ### Source excerpt In software design we have all heard the phrase "well-crafted user experience." It may have come up in conversation, in an article or in a job interview. Indeed, conversation and debate about craft, what it is and why it matters, has been a through-line during my 20+ years in tech. I've worked at companies that [...] The post Craft in design: What it is & why it matters appeared first on Slack Design. ## Two heads are better than one: Building strong partnerships in the modern workplace DevFeed: [Two heads are better than one: Building strong partnerships in the modern workplace]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2024-04-25T16:00:08Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Product Management](), [Slack]() Tags: [how-we-work](), [partnerships](), [product-management](), [slack](), [teams]() ### AI overview Two Slack colleagues--a product designer and a product manager--share practices for building strong cross-functional partnerships while working to grow Slack Connect for Enterprise customers. They discuss prioritizing peer relationships, setting work expectations, and using a Personal Operating Manual to reduce guesswork. ### Source excerpt Grace Sunnell is a Lead Product Designer formally for Slack Connect and now evolving the experience of Slack AI. Jeff Robke is a Senior Product Manager focused on Slack Connect for Enterprise customers. Think of a time at work where things felt effortless. You felt like you could do anything, climb over any obstacle. Now, [...] The post Two heads are better than one: Building strong partnerships in the modern workplace appeared first on Slack Design. ## How we launched AI within Slack in 6 months DevFeed: [How we launched AI within Slack in 6 months]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2024-04-18T16:02:48Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](), [Slack](), [AI search]() Tags: [ai](), [ai-search](), [launch](), [recap](), [search](), [slack](), [uncategorized]() ### AI overview Slack's design team describes how it launched AI features within Slack over six months. The initial launch included AI-powered search and channel and thread summaries, followed by Recap to help users reduce noise and focus on important conversations. The team used research and feedback from internal and pilot users to guide feature selection, trust-building, and integration into existing workflows. ### Source excerpt Let's face it: AI technology, especially in the workplace context, is a sensitive topic. On the Slack design team, we know that no matter how large a deadline looms, it's important to keep humans at the center of the experience. This sentiment is well-worn in a space crowded with well-meaning tech types, so we got [...] The post How we launched AI within Slack in 6 months appeared first on Slack Design. ## A more focused, productive Slack DevFeed: [A more focused, productive Slack]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2023-10-31T22:33:38Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [ui](), [Canvas]() Tags: [canvas](), [design](), [desktop](), [features](), [mobile](), [navigation](), [notifications](), [slack](), [ui](), [what-we-do]() ### AI overview Slack designers explain how UI congestion caused by expanding work types, larger teams, and new features such as Canvas led them to redesign navigation around focused work modes. Their selected tab set includes DMs, Activity, and Later. ### Source excerpt Does this look familiar? With more types of work happening on Slack, teams becoming larger, and new features like Canvas expanding what Slack can do, our UI was becoming congested. Keeping track of the most important stuff was no longer easy or straight-forward. As designers, we felt this problem too. New features had to be [...] The post A more focused, productive Slack appeared first on Slack Design. ## Re-designing Slack on Mobile DevFeed: [Re-designing Slack on Mobile]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2023-10-30T19:55:45Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Information Architecture](), [Mobile](), [Accessibility](), [Scalability](), [User interface design](), [Android](), [iOS]() Tags: [accessibility](), [android](), [information-architecture](), [ios](), [mobile](), [scalability](), [slack](), [what-we-do]() ### AI overview Slack Design describes a redesign of Slack's mobile information architecture to accommodate the product's expanding features without creating a cluttered experience. The article focuses on navigation, scalability, recall, and accessibility for small-screen users. ### Source excerpt Just like the world around us, Slack has grown and changed significantly over the last decade. What started out as a simple chat tool is now a multi-modal product that allows for more meaningful collaboration with features like voice clips, video clips, huddles, canvases, lists, Slack Connect, Sales Elevate, and so much more. But with [...] The post Re-designing Slack on Mobile appeared first on Slack Design. ## A new visual language for Slack DevFeed: [A new visual language for Slack]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2023-10-27T20:58:07Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Information Architecture](), [Slack](), [ui]() Tags: [architecture](), [communication](), [design](), [evolution](), [information-architecture](), [information-density](), [interface](), [layout](), [productivity](), [slack](), [what-we-do]() ### AI overview Slack designers describe a two-week sprint exploring a new visual language alongside a major evolution of Slack's information architecture. The proposed direction preserves information density and productivity while using gradients, transparent surfaces, rounded controls, and depth to create a more approachable interface. ### Source excerpt As we embarked on the largest evolution to Slack's information architecture, us designers believed it was the perfect opportunity to evolve Slack's iconic look and feel. While the undertaking would be no small feat, we were inspired to make Slack even more pleasant, more personal, and easier to understand. Make it more Slack-y. We decided [...] The post A new visual language for Slack appeared first on Slack Design. ## How our biggest redesign yet came to be DevFeed: [How our biggest redesign yet came to be]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2023-10-25T21:24:48Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [ui](), [Messaging]() Tags: [alignment](), [design](), [design-engineering](), [engineering](), [navigation](), [prototype](), [team](), [ui](), [what-we-do]() ### AI overview Slack describes how its design team developed and operationalized a major product redesign as the company expanded beyond messaging. The process used exploratory prototypes, early collaboration with engineering and product leaders, stakeholder alignment, and a hub-and-spoke team structure. ### Source excerpt The timing was right. We were adding in new features like huddles, canvases, lists, and others into a UI system that was originally designed solely for messaging capabilities. Meanwhile, research showed users on the biggest and most active teams were struggling to stay on top of the basics. Our product navigation was reaching its limits. [...] The post How our biggest redesign yet came to be appeared first on Slack Design. ## Living and creating our values on the Slack Creative team DevFeed: [Living and creating our values on the Slack Creative team]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2023-08-03T22:03:04Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Digital signage]() Tags: [collaboration](), [consistency](), [design](), [how-we-work](), [industry](), [inspiration](), [slack](), [team](), [trust]() ### AI overview A Slack Creative team member describes how the team defined and practices five shared values--empathy, consistency, collaboration, curiosity, and inspiration--and illustrates empathy through its creative work and a 2022 kindness campaign. ### Source excerpt I've spent the past five years at Slack building both the Slack brand and the Slack creative team. While I'm immensely proud of both accomplishments, the latter takes the cake. While it's important to hire the right people, set clear expectations and develop seamless processes, we wouldn't be one of the most collaborative and wonderful [...] The post Living and creating our values on the Slack Creative team appeared first on Slack Design. ## Complex, compact, celebratory: Bringing the Add to MPDM feature to life in Slack DevFeed: [Complex, compact, celebratory: Bringing the Add to MPDM feature to life in Slack]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2023-05-18T12:41:17Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Figma](), [Mobile]() Tags: [collaboration](), [design](), [desktop](), [feature](), [figma](), [how-we-work](), [project](), [teams]() ### AI overview Slack's design team describes creating the Add to MPDM feature, which lets people add participants to a direct message. The project involved designing the feature concurrently for desktop, mobile, and iPad, with organized Figma workflows to coordinate design and engineering work. ### Source excerpt While Slack fields many requests, the creation of a feature to add people to a direct message was something our design team heard frequently. When we first started to roll up our sleeves and explore how to build this feature, it didn't seem that difficult. After all, you could already add people to channels. It [...] The post Complex, compact, celebratory: Bringing the Add to MPDM feature to life in Slack appeared first on Slack Design. ## A behind-the-scenes look at building the Slack Design illustration library DevFeed: [A behind-the-scenes look at building the Slack Design illustration library]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: lcarmen2 Published: 2023-04-27T04:00:05Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Slack Design]() Topics: [Slack](), [Library](), [Website]() Tags: [building](), [creative](), [design](), [designer](), [external](), [fonts](), [illustration](), [marketing](), [post](), [product](), [product-features](), [technical](), [what-we-do]() ### AI overview A Slack brand designer explains how the company developed a cohesive illustration library after its earlier website-focused library caused inconsistent use across the organization. The article describes design principles and two illustration styles: objects for literal or technical product explanations, and people for marketing and external communications. ### Source excerpt When Slack's new website launched in 2017, I felt like a kid in a candy store. As a brand designer, there's nothing more exciting than having new brand fonts and an entire library of illustrations at our disposal. However, this creative freedom was short-lived and replaced with frustration. Much like a sugar crash! Our new [...] The post A behind-the-scenes look at building the Slack Design illustration library appeared first on Slack Design. [Next page]()