Every template we release starts as a messy whiteboard full of arrows and sticky notes. We’re not the kind of studio that sketches pixel-perfect mockups first. We start with the workflow.
## Step One: Understand the User
Before we make anything, we talk to real solopreneurs. We ask: What’s the most annoying part of your day? That’s where we begin. For the Content Calendar, it was “I never know what to post.” For the Client Portal, it was “I can’t find the files for this project.”
## Step Two: Map the Workflow
We sketch out the step-by-step journey a user would take. For a client portal, that might be: add client → log call notes → track deliverables → invoice. We don’t care about aesthetics yet. We just want the flow to feel natural.
## Step Three: Build a Skeleton
In Notion, we create a bare-bones version with databases and page properties. No styling. This is the “ugly” version. We test it on ourselves for a few days. If it feels clunky, we tweak.
## Step Four: Design for the Eye
This is where the magic happens. We choose a soft color palette—moonlit lavender, dusty rose, sage. We add cover images, icons, and callouts. But we’re careful: design should make things easier to scan, not prettier for the sake of it.
## Step Five: Stress-Test
We hand the template to beta testers who aren’t Notion experts. If they get stuck, we keep revising. We also look for ways to reduce friction. For example, we’ll add a template button for common actions, or create a “Quick Start” page that explains the whole thing in 5 minutes.
## Step Six: Document and Ship
Finally, we write a simple setup guide and duplicate the template for testing. We check every link, every property. Then we ship it, and we’re always nervous. But the feedback loop keeps us going.
## Our Design Principles
We have three non-negotiables: 1) Templates must feel calm, not overwhelming. 2) There’s always a “quick start” path. 3) Every template can be used as-is, but also customized. We never want to box anyone in.
So next time you see a template, know that it’s not just a pretty face. It’s been through a process that starts and ends with you.