MIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW
10 Breakthrough Technologies
The 10 Breakthrough Technologies is an annual publication from MIT Technology Review that showcases the top innovations from that year. For a long time, the list has been an unchanged, basic WordPress template. I was asked to reimagine the interactions & design of this popular page.
MOBILE DESIGN
MOTION & ANIMATION
WEB DESIGN
CHALLENGE
The TR10 is one of MIT Technology Review’s most anticipated annual features, consistently generating the highest traffic on the site each year. I was tasked with reimagining its digital presence and moving beyond the constraints of a standard WordPress template to create an innovative, immersive experience that reflected the forward-thinking nature of the content itself.
SOLUTION
I collaborated closely with the art, editorial, and engineering teams to reimagine the digital experience of the TR10 lists, while honoring the publication’s journalistic legacy. I led the creative direction, actively incorporating cross-functional feedback to ensure the final design resonated with each team. This collaborative approach helped build alignment and enthusiasm across the organization for the new direction.
Design Goals
The redesign of the TR10 list aimed to transform a high-traffic, annual feature into a bold, visually striking digital experience. With punchy visuals and timed, scrollable interactions, the new design brought energy and depth to the content while maintaining editorial integrity. Achieving this vision required close collaboration across design, editorial, engineering, and art teams to ensure the final product was both impactful and cohesive.
Print vs Digital
MIT Technology Review has historically prioritized print in its art direction, with commissioned artwork often created exclusively for print specifications and only later adapted for digital use. To better align with the evolving digital direction of the TR10 list, I proposed earlier collaboration with the art team to ensure that digital presentation was considered from the start. I partnered with Art Director Eric Mongeon to create a digital-first version of the list’s artwork and worked to retain the core essence of the original illustrations while adapting them with vibrant colors, digital-friendly elements, and optimized aspect ratios for web.
Subtle Marketing
To capitalize on the TR10’s popularity and drive additional views and subscriptions, we strategically embedded call-to-action moments throughout the feature. I designed custom components and visual callouts that mirrored the style of the list and integrated artwork featured on the page, making them feel like a natural extension of the overall experience. This approach allowed the CTAs to feel seamless rather than intrusive, effectively encouraging casual readers to engage further and sign up for a membership.
Final Design
The project was a success, and the newly designed TR10 page was widely celebrated across the organization for its bold, forward-thinking approach. The updated design introduced a fresh visual style and incorporated scroll-triggered animations that brought the content to life. Each featured technology was given space to shine, with thoughtful pacing and visual hierarchy that elevated the reading experience and reinforced the cutting-edge nature of the list.
Landing Page
A bold, visually striking landing screen designed to immediately capture attention. Featuring a standout title, prominent sponsorship placement, and a clear call-to-action inviting readers to scroll and begin the experience.
Inside the List
Digital-optimized imagery, a dynamic list indicator that updates as users scroll, and concise titles with brief descriptions all work together to highlight each featured technology and deliver a clear, engaging overview.
Embedded CTAs
A thoughtfully designed in-list ad aimed at converting casual readers into subscribers by inviting them to unlock the full reading experience. Seamlessly integrated into the flow of content, the ad reinforces the value of membership without disrupting the reader’s journey.
Lead Generation
A similarly styled email capture module designed to generate leads and grow the publication’s email list for future marketing and promotional efforts. Integrated naturally into the page, it encourages readers to stay connected without disrupting the user experience.
Opportunites to Engage
A subtle, unobtrusive widget that surfaces related content to keep readers engaged and encourage deeper exploration. Designed to complement the reading experience without distracting from the primary story.
Inside the List (cont)
Digital-optimized imagery, a dynamic list indicator that updates as users scroll, and concise titles with brief descriptions all work together to highlight each featured technology and deliver a clear, engaging overview.
Interactive Poll - The 11th Breakthrough
A new interactive feature inviting readers to participate by voting for the technology they believe deserves the spot as the 11th breakthrough. Designed to boost engagement and spark conversation, this element gives the audience a voice while deepening their connection to the content.
Lessons Learned
1.
You Can’t Judge a Team by Its Reputation
I was warned that the other teams were a bit of a tough crowd, grouchy and fond of saying "no," but I decided to approach the collaboration with a genuine, open mindset and a focus on understanding their goals. Turns out, a little positivity and curiosity can go a long way! The collaboration ended up being smooth and, dare I say, fun. Who knew?
2.
Engineers to the Front
Bringing engineers in early isn’t just nice—it’s essential. I’ve learned that involving them upfront leads to better ideas, smoother builds, and fewer "yeah, that’s actually impossible" moments later on. Plus, they often spot things I totally miss. Moral of the story? Treat your engineers like design partners, not just the people who show up at the end with questions and side-eyes.
3.
Prioritization is a Team Sport
I’ve learned that fast, effective prioritization works best when the whole team is aligned. Getting input early from product, engineering, and others helps focus decisions around shared goals rather than personal preferences. It saves time, prevents rework, and makes tradeoffs clearer and easier to stand behind.