Context

Bubble is a no-code platform that enables users to build web applications without writing code. The project focused on redesigning key parts of the UI to reduce the learning curve for new users while preserving the depth of functionality that power users rely on.

The challenge was a classic scale problem — the product had grown organically over years, accumulating UI debt and inconsistent patterns that made onboarding significantly harder than it needed to be.

Problem

New users abandoning the platform within the first session was a critical growth blocker. Exit interviews consistently pointed to the same root cause: the interface felt overwhelming, with no clear path from “I have an idea” to “I’ve built something.”

Power users, meanwhile, were frustrated by small inefficiencies that compounded over long sessions — extra clicks, unclear state feedback, and a lack of keyboard shortcuts for common operations.

Research

A combination of session recordings, support ticket analysis, and moderated usability tests with 24 participants revealed that the primary drop-off point was the first interaction with the visual editor. Users couldn’t establish a mental model of how elements related to each other.

Solution

A progressive disclosure system that surfaces core actions prominently while keeping advanced options accessible. A redesigned onboarding flow guided by intent — users select what they want to build, and the interface configures itself accordingly. Small but high-impact improvements to the power-user layer: keyboard shortcuts, batch operations, and a redesigned property panel with better hierarchy.