diff --git a/apps/playground/src/index.css b/apps/playground/src/index.css
index d924e2434..67b593e52 100644
--- a/apps/playground/src/index.css
+++ b/apps/playground/src/index.css
@@ -67,3 +67,21 @@
     @apply bg-background text-foreground;
   }
 }
+
+@layer utilities {
+  /* Dot grid background patterns */
+  .bg-dot-pattern {
+    background-image: radial-gradient(circle, #cbd5e1 1.5px, transparent 1.5px);
+    background-size: 32px 32px;
+  }
+  
+  .bg-dot-pattern-sm {
+    background-image: radial-gradient(circle, #cbd5e1 1px, transparent 1px);
+    background-size: 20px 20px;
+  }
+  
+  /* Custom spinner animation */
+  .animate-spin-reverse {
+    animation: spin 1s linear infinite reverse;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/playground/src/pages/Home.tsx b/apps/playground/src/pages/Home.tsx
index 2ca3df85b..0f5acd25b 100644
--- a/apps/playground/src/pages/Home.tsx
+++ b/apps/playground/src/pages/Home.tsx
@@ -19,59 +19,82 @@ export const Home = () => {
   const [activeCategory, setActiveCategory] = useState<string>('Layouts');
 
   return (
-    <div className="min-h-screen bg-gray-50 text-gray-900">
+    <div className="min-h-screen bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-50 via-white to-indigo-50 text-gray-900">
       {/* Hero Section */}
-      <header className="bg-white border-b sticky top-0 z-10">
+      <header className="bg-white/80 backdrop-blur-md border-b border-gray-200/50 sticky top-0 z-20 shadow-sm">
         <div className="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8 h-16 flex items-center justify-between">
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <div className="bg-indigo-600 p-1.5 rounded-lg">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
+            <div className="bg-gradient-to-br from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 p-2 rounded-xl shadow-lg shadow-indigo-200">
               <Box className="w-5 h-5 text-white" />
             </div>
-            <span className="font-bold text-xl tracking-tight">Object UI Studio</span>
+            <span className="font-bold text-xl tracking-tight bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-900 to-gray-600 bg-clip-text text-transparent">Object UI Studio</span>
           </div>
           <a 
             href="https://github.com/objectql/objectui" 
             target="_blank"
-            className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 transition-colors"
+            className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 hover:text-gray-900 bg-white/50 hover:bg-white border border-gray-200 rounded-lg transition-all shadow-sm hover:shadow"
           >
+            <svg className="w-4 h-4" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+              <path fillRule="evenodd" d="M12 2C6.477 2 2 6.484 2 12.017c0 4.425 2.865 8.18 6.839 9.504.5.092.682-.217.682-.483 0-.237-.008-.868-.013-1.703-2.782.605-3.369-1.343-3.369-1.343-.454-1.158-1.11-1.466-1.11-1.466-.908-.62.069-.608.069-.608 1.003.07 1.531 1.032 1.531 1.032.892 1.53 2.341 1.088 2.91.832.092-.647.35-1.088.636-1.338-2.22-.253-4.555-1.113-4.555-4.951 0-1.093.39-1.988 1.029-2.688-.103-.253-.446-1.272.098-2.65 0 0 .84-.27 2.75 1.026A9.564 9.564 0 0112 6.844c.85.004 1.705.115 2.504.337 1.909-1.296 2.747-1.027 2.747-1.027.546 1.379.202 2.398.1 2.651.64.7 1.028 1.595 1.028 2.688 0 3.848-2.339 4.695-4.566 4.943.359.309.678.92.678 1.855 0 1.338-.012 2.419-.012 2.747 0 .268.18.58.688.482A10.019 10.019 0 0022 12.017C22 6.484 17.522 2 12 2z" clipRule="evenodd" />
+            </svg>
             GitHub
           </a>
         </div>
       </header>
       
-      <main className="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8 py-12">
-        <div className="text-center mb-16">
-          <h1 className="text-4xl font-extrabold tracking-tight text-gray-900 sm:text-5xl mb-4">
+      <main className="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8 py-16">
+        <div className="text-center mb-20 relative">
+          {/* Decorative elements */}
+          <div className="absolute inset-0 -z-10 overflow-hidden">
+            <div className="absolute top-0 left-1/4 w-96 h-96 bg-gradient-to-br from-indigo-200 to-purple-200 rounded-full blur-3xl opacity-30 animate-pulse"></div>
+            <div className="absolute top-20 right-1/4 w-80 h-80 bg-gradient-to-br from-blue-200 to-cyan-200 rounded-full blur-3xl opacity-30 animate-pulse"></div>
+          </div>
+          
+          <div className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 bg-indigo-50 border border-indigo-200 rounded-full text-sm font-semibold text-indigo-700 mb-6 shadow-sm">
+            <span className="relative flex h-2 w-2">
+              <span className="animate-ping absolute inline-flex h-full w-full rounded-full bg-indigo-400 opacity-75"></span>
+              <span className="relative inline-flex rounded-full h-2 w-2 bg-indigo-500"></span>
+            </span>
+            Interactive Visual Editor
+          </div>
+          
+          <h1 className="text-5xl md:text-6xl lg:text-7xl font-black tracking-tight text-gray-900 mb-6 leading-tight">
             Build Stunning Interfaces,<br />
-            <span className="text-indigo-600">Purely from JSON.</span>
+            <span className="bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 via-purple-600 to-pink-600 bg-clip-text text-transparent">Purely from JSON.</span>
           </h1>
-          <p className="max-w-2xl mx-auto text-lg text-gray-500">
+          <p className="max-w-2xl mx-auto text-xl text-gray-600 leading-relaxed">
             Object UI transforms JSON schemas into fully functional, accessible, and responsive React applications. 
-            Select a template below to start building.
+            <br className="hidden sm:block" />
+            <span className="font-semibold text-gray-700">Select a template below to start building.</span>
           </p>
         </div>
 
         {/* Category Filter */}
-        <div className="flex flex-wrap justify-center gap-2 mb-12">
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap justify-center gap-3 mb-16">
           {Object.keys(exampleCategories).map((category) => (
             <button
               key={category}
               onClick={() => setActiveCategory(category)}
               className={`
-                flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded-full text-sm font-medium transition-all
+                group flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-2.5 rounded-xl text-sm font-semibold transition-all duration-200
                 ${activeCategory === category 
-                  ? 'bg-gray-900 text-white shadow-lg scale-105' 
-                  : 'bg-white text-gray-600 hover:bg-gray-100 border border-gray-200'}
+                  ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 text-white shadow-lg shadow-indigo-300/50 scale-105' 
+                  : 'bg-white text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-50 border-2 border-gray-200 hover:border-indigo-200 hover:shadow-md'}
               `}
             >
               <CategoryIcon name={category} />
               {category}
+              {activeCategory === category && (
+                <span className="ml-1 px-2 py-0.5 bg-white/20 rounded-full text-xs font-bold">
+                  {exampleCategories[category as keyof typeof exampleCategories].length}
+                </span>
+              )}
             </button>
           ))}
         </div>
 
         {/* Examples Grid */}
-        <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
+        <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
           {exampleCategories[activeCategory as keyof typeof exampleCategories].map((key) => {
              // Try to parse the example to get a description or just format the title
              const title = key.split('-').map(w => w.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + w.slice(1)).join(' ');
@@ -80,32 +103,44 @@ export const Home = () => {
               <div 
                 key={key}
                 onClick={() => navigate(`/studio/${key}`)}
-                className="group relative bg-white rounded-2xl border border-gray-200 overflow-hidden hover:shadow-xl transition-all duration-300 cursor-pointer hover:border-indigo-200 flex flex-col h-64"
+                className="group relative bg-white rounded-2xl border-2 border-gray-200 overflow-hidden hover:shadow-2xl hover:shadow-indigo-500/20 transition-all duration-300 cursor-pointer hover:border-indigo-400 hover:-translate-y-1 flex flex-col h-72"
               >
+                {/* Gradient overlay on hover */}
+                <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-gradient-to-br from-indigo-500/0 via-purple-500/0 to-pink-500/0 group-hover:from-indigo-500/5 group-hover:via-purple-500/5 group-hover:to-pink-500/5 transition-all duration-500 pointer-events-none z-10"></div>
+                
                 {/* Mock Preview Window */}
-                <div className="bg-gray-50 border-b border-gray-100 p-4 flex-1 flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden">
-                    <div className="w-3/4 h-3/4 bg-white shadow-sm border border-gray-200 rounded-lg flex flex-col opacity-80 group-hover:scale-105 transition-transform duration-500">
-                      <div className="h-4 border-b border-gray-100 bg-gray-50 flex items-center px-2 gap-1">
-                        <div className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-red-400"></div>
-                        <div className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-yellow-400"></div>
-                        <div className="w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full bg-green-400"></div>
+                <div className="bg-gradient-to-br from-gray-50 to-slate-100 border-b border-gray-200 p-6 flex-1 flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden relative">
+                    {/* Decorative grid */}
+                    <div className="absolute inset-0 opacity-20 bg-dot-pattern-sm"></div>
+                    
+                    <div className="relative w-3/4 h-3/4 bg-white shadow-xl border-2 border-gray-300 rounded-xl flex flex-col group-hover:scale-110 transition-transform duration-500">
+                      <div className="h-5 border-b-2 border-gray-200 bg-gradient-to-b from-gray-100 to-gray-50 flex items-center px-2 gap-1.5 rounded-t-xl">
+                        <div className="w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-red-500 shadow-sm"></div>
+                        <div className="w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-yellow-500 shadow-sm"></div>
+                        <div className="w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-green-500 shadow-sm"></div>
                       </div>
-                      <div className="flex-1 p-2">
-                        <div className="space-y-2">
-                          <div className="h-2 bg-gray-100 rounded w-1/2"></div>
-                          <div className="h-2 bg-gray-100 rounded w-3/4"></div>
-                          <div className="h-2 bg-gray-100 rounded w-full"></div>
+                      <div className="flex-1 p-3">
+                        <div className="space-y-2.5">
+                          <div className="h-2.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-200 to-purple-200 rounded-full w-1/2 animate-pulse"></div>
+                          <div className="h-2.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-blue-200 to-cyan-200 rounded-full w-3/4 animate-pulse [animation-delay:75ms]"></div>
+                          <div className="h-2.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-purple-200 to-pink-200 rounded-full w-full animate-pulse [animation-delay:150ms]"></div>
                         </div>
                       </div>
                     </div>
                 </div>
 
-                <div className="p-5 relative z-10 bg-white">
-                  <h3 className="text-lg font-bold text-gray-900 group-hover:text-indigo-600 transition-colors">
+                <div className="p-6 relative z-10 bg-white border-t border-gray-100">
+                  <h3 className="text-lg font-bold text-gray-900 group-hover:text-indigo-600 transition-colors mb-2">
                     {title}
                   </h3>
-                  <div className="flex items-center text-sm font-medium text-gray-400 mt-2 group-hover:text-indigo-500 transition-colors">
-                    Launch Studio <ArrowRight className="w-4 h-4 ml-1 transform group-hover:translate-x-1 transition-transform" />
+                  <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+                    <div className="flex items-center text-sm font-semibold text-gray-500 group-hover:text-indigo-600 transition-colors">
+                      Launch Studio
+                      <ArrowRight className="w-4 h-4 ml-2 transform group-hover:translate-x-2 transition-transform" />
+                    </div>
+                    <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-indigo-50 text-indigo-700 rounded-full text-xs font-bold group-hover:bg-indigo-600 group-hover:text-white transition-colors">
+                      Try Now
+                    </div>
                   </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
diff --git a/apps/playground/src/pages/Studio.tsx b/apps/playground/src/pages/Studio.tsx
index 116e58866..808590f4a 100644
--- a/apps/playground/src/pages/Studio.tsx
+++ b/apps/playground/src/pages/Studio.tsx
@@ -89,26 +89,28 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
   };
 
   return (
-      <header className="h-16 border-b bg-white flex items-center px-4 justify-between flex-shrink-0 z-50 relative shadow-sm">
+      <header className="h-16 border-b bg-white/80 backdrop-blur-md flex items-center px-4 justify-between flex-shrink-0 z-50 relative shadow-md">
         <div className="flex items-center gap-4">
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
             <button 
               onClick={() => navigate('/')}
-              className="p-2 -ml-2 text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-100 rounded-full transition-all"
+              className="p-2 -ml-2 text-gray-500 hover:text-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-50 rounded-xl transition-all"
               title="Back to Gallery"
             >
               <ArrowLeft className="w-5 h-5" />
             </button>
-            <div className="h-6 w-px bg-gray-200 mx-1"></div>
+            <div className="h-6 w-px bg-gradient-to-b from-transparent via-gray-300 to-transparent mx-1"></div>
             <div>
               <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                <span className="font-bold text-gray-900 tracking-tight">Object Studio</span>
-                <span className="text-gray-300">/</span>
-                <span className="text-gray-600 font-medium">{exampleTitle}</span>
+                <span className="font-bold text-gray-900 tracking-tight flex items-center gap-2">
+                  <span className="bg-gradient-to-br from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 text-transparent bg-clip-text">Object Studio</span>
+                  <span className="text-gray-300">/</span>
+                  <span className="text-gray-700 font-semibold">{exampleTitle}</span>
+                </span>
               </div>
-              <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 mt-0.5">
-                <span className={`w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full ${jsonError ? 'bg-red-500' : 'bg-green-500'} ring-2 ring-opacity-20 ${jsonError ? 'ring-red-500' : 'ring-green-500'}`}></span>
-                <span className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider font-semibold text-gray-400">
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mt-0.5">
+                <span className={`w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full ${jsonError ? 'bg-red-500 animate-pulse' : 'bg-emerald-500'} ring-2 ring-opacity-30 ${jsonError ? 'ring-red-500' : 'ring-emerald-500'}`}></span>
+                <span className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider font-bold ${jsonError ? 'text-red-600' : 'text-emerald-600'}">
                   {jsonError ? 'Error' : 'Ready'}
                 </span>
               </div>
@@ -118,13 +120,13 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
 
         {/* Center: View Mode Switcher */}
         <div className="absolute left-1/2 top-1/2 transform -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2">
-          <div className="flex p-1 bg-gray-100/80 backdrop-blur-sm rounded-lg border border-gray-200/50">
+          <div className="flex p-1 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 to-slate-100 backdrop-blur-sm rounded-xl border border-gray-300 shadow-lg">
              <button
                 onClick={() => setViewMode('design')}
-                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium rounded-md transition-all duration-200 ${
+                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-2 text-xs font-bold rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 ${
                   viewMode === 'design' 
-                    ? 'bg-white text-gray-900 shadow-sm ring-1 ring-black/5' 
-                    : 'text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-200/50'
+                    ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 text-white shadow-lg shadow-indigo-300/50' 
+                    : 'text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-white/70'
                 }`}
               >
                 <PenTool className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
@@ -132,10 +134,10 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
               </button>
               <button
                 onClick={() => setViewMode('preview')}
-                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium rounded-md transition-all duration-200 ${
+                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-2 text-xs font-bold rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 ${
                   viewMode === 'preview' 
-                    ? 'bg-white text-gray-900 shadow-sm ring-1 ring-black/5' 
-                    : 'text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-200/50'
+                    ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 text-white shadow-lg shadow-indigo-300/50' 
+                    : 'text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-white/70'
                 }`}
               >
                 <Monitor className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
@@ -143,10 +145,10 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
               </button>
               <button
                 onClick={() => setViewMode('code')}
-                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-1.5 text-xs font-medium rounded-md transition-all duration-200 ${
+                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-2 text-xs font-bold rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 ${
                   viewMode === 'code' 
-                    ? 'bg-white text-gray-900 shadow-sm ring-1 ring-black/5' 
-                    : 'text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-200/50'
+                    ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 text-white shadow-lg shadow-indigo-300/50' 
+                    : 'text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-white/70'
                 }`}
               >
                 <Code2 className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
@@ -158,11 +160,11 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
         {/* Right: Actions */}
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
            {viewMode === 'design' && (
-             <div className="flex items-center bg-gray-50 rounded-lg border border-gray-200 p-0.5 mr-2">
+             <div className="flex items-center bg-white rounded-xl border-2 border-gray-200 p-0.5 mr-2 shadow-sm">
                <button 
                  onClick={undo} 
                  disabled={!canUndo}
-                 className={`p-1.5 rounded-md transition-all ${!canUndo ? 'text-gray-300 cursor-not-allowed' : 'text-gray-600 hover:bg-white hover:text-gray-900 hover:shadow-sm'}`}
+                 className={`p-2 rounded-lg transition-all ${!canUndo ? 'text-gray-300 cursor-not-allowed' : 'text-gray-700 hover:bg-indigo-50 hover:text-indigo-600'}`}
                  title="Undo (Cmd+Z)"
                >
                  <Undo className="w-4 h-4" />
@@ -170,7 +172,7 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
                <button 
                  onClick={redo} 
                  disabled={!canRedo}
-                 className={`p-1.5 rounded-md transition-all ${!canRedo ? 'text-gray-300 cursor-not-allowed' : 'text-gray-600 hover:bg-white hover:text-gray-900 hover:shadow-sm'}`}
+                 className={`p-2 rounded-lg transition-all ${!canRedo ? 'text-gray-300 cursor-not-allowed' : 'text-gray-700 hover:bg-indigo-50 hover:text-indigo-600'}`}
                  title="Redo (Cmd+Y)"
                >
                  <Redo className="w-4 h-4" />
@@ -178,11 +180,11 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
              </div>
            )}
            
-           <div className="h-6 w-px bg-gray-200 mx-2"></div>
+           <div className="h-6 w-px bg-gradient-to-b from-transparent via-gray-300 to-transparent mx-2"></div>
 
            <button 
              onClick={handleExport}
-             className="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-xs font-medium text-gray-700 bg-white border border-gray-300 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-50 hover:text-gray-900 transition-colors"
+             className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 text-xs font-semibold text-gray-700 bg-white hover:bg-gray-50 border-2 border-gray-200 rounded-xl hover:border-gray-300 transition-all shadow-sm hover:shadow"
              title="Download JSON"
            >
               <Download className="w-4 h-4" />
@@ -191,14 +193,14 @@ const StudioToolbarContext = ({
 
            <button
                 onClick={handleCopy}
-                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 text-xs font-medium rounded-lg transition-all shadow-sm ${
+                className={`flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 text-xs font-bold rounded-xl transition-all shadow-lg ${
                   copied 
-                    ? 'bg-green-600 text-white hover:bg-green-700' 
-                    : 'bg-indigo-600 text-white hover:bg-indigo-700'
+                    ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-emerald-600 to-green-600 text-white hover:from-emerald-700 hover:to-green-700 shadow-emerald-300/50' 
+                    : 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 text-white hover:from-indigo-700 hover:to-purple-700 shadow-indigo-300/50'
                 }`}
               >
-                {copied ? <Check className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> : <Copy className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />}
-                {copied ? 'Copied' : 'Copy'}
+                {copied ? <Check className="h-4 w-4" /> : <Copy className="h-4 w-4" />}
+                {copied ? 'Copied!' : 'Copy JSON'}
             </button>
         </div>
       </header>
@@ -286,14 +288,14 @@ const StudioEditor = ({ exampleId, initialJson }: { exampleId: ExampleKey, initi
           </DesignerErrorBoundary>
         </div>
       ) : viewMode === 'preview' ? (
-        <div className="h-full flex flex-col bg-gray-50 overflow-hidden absolute inset-0">
-          <div className="border-b px-4 py-2 bg-white/80 backdrop-blur-sm flex items-center justify-center z-10 sticky top-0">
+        <div className="h-full flex flex-col bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-50 to-indigo-50 overflow-hidden absolute inset-0">
+          <div className="border-b px-4 py-3 bg-white/90 backdrop-blur-md flex items-center justify-center z-10 sticky top-0 shadow-sm">
             {/* Viewport Size Toggles */}
-            <div className="flex items-center gap-1 bg-gray-100/80 p-1 rounded-lg border border-gray-200">
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 to-slate-100 p-1 rounded-xl border-2 border-gray-300 shadow-lg">
               <button
                 onClick={() => setViewportSize('desktop')}
-                className={`p-1.5 rounded-md transition-all duration-200 ${
-                  viewportSize === 'desktop' ? 'bg-white shadow-sm text-indigo-600 ring-1 ring-black/5' : 'text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-700'
+                className={`p-2 rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 ${
+                  viewportSize === 'desktop' ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 shadow-lg shadow-indigo-300/50 text-white' : 'text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-white/70'
                 }`}
                 title="Desktop View"
               >
@@ -301,8 +303,8 @@ const StudioEditor = ({ exampleId, initialJson }: { exampleId: ExampleKey, initi
               </button>
               <button
                 onClick={() => setViewportSize('tablet')}
-                className={`p-1.5 rounded-md transition-all duration-200 ${
-                  viewportSize === 'tablet' ? 'bg-white shadow-sm text-indigo-600 ring-1 ring-black/5' : 'text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-700'
+                className={`p-2 rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 ${
+                  viewportSize === 'tablet' ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 shadow-lg shadow-indigo-300/50 text-white' : 'text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-white/70'
                 }`}
                 title="Tablet View"
               >
@@ -310,8 +312,8 @@ const StudioEditor = ({ exampleId, initialJson }: { exampleId: ExampleKey, initi
               </button>
               <button
                 onClick={() => setViewportSize('mobile')}
-                className={`p-1.5 rounded-md transition-all duration-200 ${
-                  viewportSize === 'mobile' ? 'bg-white shadow-sm text-indigo-600 ring-1 ring-black/5' : 'text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-700'
+                className={`p-2 rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 ${
+                  viewportSize === 'mobile' ? 'bg-gradient-to-r from-indigo-600 to-purple-600 shadow-lg shadow-indigo-300/50 text-white' : 'text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-white/70'
                 }`}
                 title="Mobile View"
               >
@@ -321,30 +323,25 @@ const StudioEditor = ({ exampleId, initialJson }: { exampleId: ExampleKey, initi
           </div>
           
           <div 
-            className="flex-1 overflow-auto p-8 flex justify-center bg-slate-50 relative"
-            style={{ 
-              backgroundImage: 'radial-gradient(#cbd5e1 1px, transparent 1px)', 
-              backgroundSize: '24px 24px' 
-            }}
+            className="flex-1 overflow-auto p-8 flex justify-center bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-100 via-gray-50 to-indigo-100 relative bg-dot-pattern"
           >
             <div className={`${viewportStyles[viewportSize]} transition-all duration-300 ease-in-out`}>
               <div 
                 className={`
                   bg-background h-full min-h-[500px] 
                   ${viewportSize === 'mobile' 
-                    ? 'rounded-[3rem] border-[8px] border-slate-800 shadow-2xl' 
+                    ? 'rounded-[3rem] border-[10px] border-gray-800 shadow-2xl shadow-gray-900/50' 
                     : viewportSize === 'tablet' 
-                      ? 'rounded-[2rem] border-[8px] border-slate-800 shadow-2xl' 
-                      : 'rounded-xl border border-gray-200 shadow-xl'
-                  }
+                      ? 'rounded-[2rem] border-[10px] border-gray-800 shadow-2xl shadow-gray-900/50' 
+                      : 'rounded-2xl border-2 border-gray-300 shadow-2xl'}
                   ${viewportSize !== 'desktop' ? 'overflow-hidden' : 'p-6'} 
                   transition-all duration-300
                 `}
               >
                 {/* Mobile/Tablet Bar */}
                 {viewportSize !== 'desktop' && (
-                  <div className="h-6 bg-slate-800 w-full absolute top-0 left-0 z-50 flex justify-center items-center">
-                    <div className="w-16 h-1 bg-slate-700 rounded-full"></div>
+                  <div className="h-6 bg-gray-900 w-full absolute top-0 left-0 z-50 flex justify-center items-center rounded-t-[2.5rem]">
+                    <div className="w-20 h-1.5 bg-gray-700 rounded-full"></div>
                   </div>
                 )}
 
@@ -357,17 +354,21 @@ const StudioEditor = ({ exampleId, initialJson }: { exampleId: ExampleKey, initi
                   ) : (
                     <div className="text-center py-12 text-muted-foreground flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-full">
                       {jsonError ? (
-                        <div className="space-y-2 p-4 bg-red-50 rounded-lg border border-red-100">
-                          <p className="text-red-600 font-semibold flex items-center gap-2">
-                            <span className="w-2 h-2 rounded-full bg-red-500"></span>
+                        <div className="space-y-3 p-6 bg-gradient-to-br from-red-50 to-pink-50 rounded-2xl border-2 border-red-200 shadow-lg max-w-md">
+                          <p className="text-red-700 font-bold text-lg flex items-center gap-2 justify-center">
+                            <span className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-red-500 animate-pulse"></span>
                             Invalid JSON
                           </p>
-                          <p className="text-xs text-red-500 font-mono text-left">{jsonError}</p>
+                          <p className="text-xs text-red-600 font-mono text-left bg-white/80 p-3 rounded-lg border border-red-200">{jsonError}</p>
                         </div>
                       ) : (
-                        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3">
-                           <div className="w-8 h-8 border-2 border-indigo-200 border-t-indigo-600 rounded-full animate-spin"></div>
-                           <p className="text-sm text-gray-400">Rendering...</p>
+                        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-4">
+                           <div className="relative">
+                             {/* Dual spinner: outer uses animate-spin and inner uses animate-spin-reverse for a counter-rotating loading effect */}
+                             <div className="w-12 h-12 border-4 border-indigo-200 border-t-indigo-600 rounded-full animate-spin"></div>
+                             <div className="absolute inset-0 w-12 h-12 border-4 border-purple-200 border-t-purple-600 rounded-full animate-spin-reverse"></div>
+                           </div>
+                           <p className="text-sm font-semibold text-gray-600">Rendering your UI...</p>
                         </div>
                       )}
                     </div>
@@ -410,18 +411,13 @@ const StudioEditor = ({ exampleId, initialJson }: { exampleId: ExampleKey, initi
           </div>
 
           {/* Side Preview */}
-          <div className="w-1/2 h-full flex flex-col bg-slate-50 relative" 
-            style={{ 
-              backgroundImage: 'radial-gradient(#cbd5e1 1px, transparent 1px)', 
-              backgroundSize: '24px 24px' 
-            }}
-          >
+          <div className="w-1/2 h-full flex flex-col bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-100 via-gray-50 to-indigo-100 relative bg-dot-pattern">
              <div className="flex-1 overflow-auto p-8 flex items-center justify-center">
-                <div className="w-full max-w-xl mx-auto rounded-xl shadow-xl bg-background border ring-1 ring-black/5 overflow-hidden">
-                  <div className="h-9 bg-white border-b flex items-center px-3 gap-1.5">
-                    <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-red-400/80"></div>
-                    <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-amber-400/80"></div>
-                    <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-green-400/80"></div>
+                <div className="w-full max-w-xl mx-auto rounded-2xl shadow-2xl bg-background border-2 border-gray-300 overflow-hidden">
+                  <div className="h-9 bg-gradient-to-b from-gray-100 to-gray-50 border-b-2 border-gray-300 flex items-center px-3 gap-2">
+                    <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-red-500 shadow-sm"></div>
+                    <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-yellow-500 shadow-sm"></div>
+                    <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-green-500 shadow-sm"></div>
                   </div>
                   <div className="p-6">
                     {schema && !jsonError ? (