PDFSimpli Chrome Extension: from a brief to 20,000 users
Luis Román
Design lead, from the brief to launch. The brief was simple: bring PDFSimpli's tools into Chrome. I defined the features, designed every screen and built the design system, then handed it off to Edwin Vega, who built it in React. Live on the Chrome Web Store, with 20,000 users on Chrome and Edge.
Project 001 · Overview: design lead from the brief to launch, built with Edwin Vega (engineering).
The challenge: PDFs live everywhere, so I brought the tools to the file. Four rules guided every screen.
Exploration: an early "hub" idea, narrowed down to one job: pick a file, pick a tool.
The popup: file to tool in under 10 seconds. Usage data picked the top four; my call was "Show more tools" and a side tab.
Design system: a component library for every tool row, button and upload state, handed off in React.
One tool set, four entry points: the toolbar, the PDF viewer, Google search and Gmail.
AI Summarizer: a side panel that summarizes the PDF and answers questions, right next to the document.
No dead ends: a plain explanation when a file can't be read, and one clear next step when free uses run out.
Uninstall journey: a short "why are you leaving?" form in plain words, then a thank-you page.
Result: live on the Chrome Web Store, 20,000 users, 4 entry points, 3 journeys designed.
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Posted Jan 25, 2026
Design lead from brief to launch: I shaped the features, designed every screen and built the design system for PDFSimpli's browser extension. 20,000 users.
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