Overview

Cricut Design Space users rely on a dense set of tools to create highly detailed, production-ready designs. However, user feedback revealed a core tension: crafters want all essential tools immediately accessible, but also want maximum canvas space to work freely and precisely.

This case study explores how we addressed that conflict by rethinking toolbar placement and hierarchy on desktop.

Problem

Through qualitative feedback and usability signals, we identified two competing user needs:

• Power users want efficiency and consistency
  They prefer all core tools (object manipulation, text, alignment, arrange, transform, etc.) available in one persistent location.

• All users want more canvas space
  Especially for detailed design work, users want less UI chrome and more room to focus on their creation.

Core tension

Users were effectively asking for:

“Give me everything all the time… but also get out of my way.”

Above is the toolbar launched in Q4 2025, which received significant negative user feedback. It introduced an Edit button that opened a contextual left rail, changing based on the selected object type.

As shown with the cow image example above, the toolset shifted dramatically between selected and deselected states, creating inconsistency and confusion about where tools lived and when they would appear.

While cut conversion saw a slight decline, user complaints were substantial. When I joined the team, they were already exploring a new direction, which I helped lead.

Goals

• Redesign the desktop toolbar experience to:

• Preserve fast, predictable access to high-frequency tools

• Maximize usable canvas space for design work

• Reduce cognitive load and tool hunting

• Maintain scalability for future tool expansion

The 3 Concepts Tested

Research & Insights

I synthesized feedback across three prototype variants in collaboration with our UX Research partner. Based on strong early performance, we further evaluated the top toolbar concept through focused usability testing. We then combined user insights, observational data, and team feedback to define and finalize the MVP direction.

Key insight 1: “Location memory” matters more than space efficiency

Users developed strong muscle memory for where tools live. Hidden or context-shifting tools created friction.

Key insight 2: Canvas space is emotional, not just functional

Users equated larger canvas space with:

• Creativity freedom

• Professional control

• Reduced clutter and distraction

Key insight 3: Tool discovery vs. tool retention conflict

Users do not want to search for tools they already know, but they also dislike visual overload.

The Solution

I redesigned the toolbar system to better balance access and space through structural refinement rather than removal.

1. Consolidated top-level tool grouping

Core tools were reorganized into a unified top toolbar with clear grouping logic (e.g., Arrange and Position grouped as spatial controls).

This preserved:

• Muscle memory

• One-click access

• Predictable tool locations

2. Contextual surfacing instead of persistent duplication

Less frequently used tools were moved into contextual panels tied to object selection states, reducing always-on UI clutter.

3. Canvas prioritization through UI compression

We reduced vertical UI weight by:

• Tightening toolbar spacing

• Collapsing secondary controls

• Prioritizing iconography over text where safe

This expanded perceived and actual canvas space without removing essential functionality.

4. Adaptive visibility model (future-ready foundation)

We introduced a framework where tool visibility can scale based on:

• Crafting workflow (i.e. stickers, vinyl, t-shirts, etc)

• Screen size

• Task complexity

Outcomes

The redesign achieved a balanced system that:

• Preserved fast access to high-frequency tools

• Increased usable canvas space on desktop

• Reduced visual clutter without sacrificing functionality

• Improved perceived control and design confidence

Early feedback indicated users felt:

• Less “boxed in” while designing

• More fluent in tool usage

• More focused on their creative output