GroupMe / Messaging UI / 2025
Chat bubbles and theming.
Grouping-aware message bubbles, coordinated chat surfaces and light/dark themes.
The problem
A chat redesign reaches beyond a single message cell. Bubble shapes depend on neighboring messages, and the compose bar, navigation and media need to remain consistent across themes and devices.
My contribution
- Implemented the refreshed message-bubble layout, including different shapes for single, first, middle and last messages in a group.
- Built reusable styling for incoming and outgoing messages, with shared light/dark theme colors and layout behavior.
- Updated the compose and navigation surfaces alongside the message cells, and followed through on accessibility, contrast and older-iOS compatibility.
Technical decisions
Grouping is part of the model
Calculated a message's position in its group so the cell could apply the appropriate corners and spacing rather than guessing from its appearance.
Shared styling, distinct surfaces
Reused bubble styling and theme tokens while allowing incoming messages, outgoing messages and input controls to keep their different roles.
Preserve the rest of the conversation
Checked the redesign with text, media and system messages, including enabled and disabled feature states. The change needed to coexist with the existing chat experience.
The result
Delivered the chat-bubble redesign and coordinated theming across messages, input and navigation, with accessibility and compatibility follow-up.
My contribution was the iOS implementation and rollout work, in collaboration with product and design.