A control bar for element activation is described. A design interface for editing digital content includes at least a first control bar and a second control bar. The first control bar is associated with a first element of the digital content and the second control bar is associated with a second element of the digital content that at least partially overlaps the first element in the digital content. The control bars are configured to remain visible and selectable in the design interface while editing the digital content. User input to select the first control bar or the second control bar is received, and the respective first element or second element associated with the selected control bar is activated responsive to the user input. The activating changes a visual appearance of both the selected control bar and the activated element and enables user interaction with the activated element.