Project Overview
Notion is built to be flexible, but that flexibility can also make the first experience feel overwhelming. After onboarding, users are often met with a blank workspace and endless possibilities, without a clear sense of what to create first or how to structure their space.
This project explores how Notion could make the first workspace feel less intimidating and more actionable, helping users move from “How do I start?” to “I know where to start.”
Issue & Fix
Issue :
After onboarding, users are dropped into a blank workspace with little guidance on what to create or where to begin. Even the Welcome page can feel overwhelming, presenting too many possibilities and heavily directing users toward AI, which can lead to analysis paralysis.
" Wait, I want to start an
expense report…
what columns do I need
for that?"
Fix :
Create a more guided onboarding experience that gives users clear, practical starting points based on what they want to accomplish.
Key Stages
Understanding how other apps execute similar experiences
2.Understanding what really works with Users
Final Design
A guided starting experience that helps users choose how they want to begin—through a goal, template, example, or AI—so Notion feels less overwhelming from the very first screen.
Guided Start
Instead of a long checklist, the welcome page groups tasks into clear sections, making the first steps easier to scan and understand. Each box gives users a simple direction without overwhelming them with too much information.
2. Find Your Starting Point
The database experience introduces searchable templates, making it easier to find the right starting point without scrolling through endless options. Users can quickly explore and choose a structure that fits their needs.
3. Learn by Example
The Project Tracker template is pre-filled with realistic content, showing users how the system works before they start building their own. This turns an intimidating blank database into something they can immediately understand and adapt.
Learning
Guide, don’t overwhelm
Good onboarding doesn’t need to explain everything at once. Grouping information into clear sections gives users direction while still leaving room to explore.Make the first step obvious
Users shouldn’t have to figure out where to begin on their own. Clear categories and searchable templates reduce the effort of finding the right starting point.Show, don’t just tell
A realistic, pre-filled example can communicate how a feature works much faster than a list of instructions. It gives users something they can understand, edit, and make their own.Design for confidence
A blank workspace can make a powerful tool feel intimidating. Giving users a clear starting point helps them feel more confident and encourages them to explore the product further.
