In their efforts to develop Grafana 2.0, the team at raintank faced various challenges in enhancing the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) without compromising the software's core simplicity and elegance. The process involved multiple iterations and prototypes, utilizing tools like Omnigraffle and Invision to refine the navigation and layout. Initial attempts included an expandable sidebar and a new header area, both of which presented issues such as dead space and unclear menu triggers. Subsequent designs explored consolidating navigation into a top bar and eventually revisiting the sidebar concept, which offered a clean, simple design with room for growth. After evaluating user behavior and interface conventions, the team concluded that a sidebar with top-level navigation items and visual cues was the optimal solution, balancing functionality with the need to avoid clutter. The iterative and collaborative journey underscored the importance of placing a high priority on UI/UX design, inviting user feedback and acknowledging the need for continuous improvement.