INTRODUCTION
A lightweight 3-part system in the CNN mobile app to encourage audience participation and communication with journalists
My Role
I led the ideation and visual direction, translating research insights into concrete product concepts. I sketched and prototyped core features such as polls, journalist profiles, and “Behind the Journalism” modules. I also owned the visual design, shaping the editorial look and feel to stay true to CNN’s brand language.
Skills
Prototyping, UX Research, Visual Design, Mobile Product Design, Usability Testing, Problem Framing, Cross-functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Communication
Duration
8 Months
Design Team
OVERVIEW
The Problem
After a story goes live, reader voices are lost in toxic comment sections or scattered across social media. Journalists, meanwhile, have no clear feedback loop to understand audience perspectives. The result is eroding trust and missed opportunities for deeper engagement.
The Solution
Polls let journalists gather audience input, Journalist Profiles build loyalty and Behind the Journalism stories reveal how pieces were researched, fostering trust. These features enable safe, meaningful participation that benefits both readers and reporters.
AT A GLANCE
The features in action - participatory polls, journalist pages and behind the journalism sections
From defining the problem, to offering guidance during design, testing and validation, we had to ensure that biomimicry is integrated into every aspect of the workflow.
From defining the problem, to offering guidance during design,
From defining the problem, to offering guidance during design
CONTEXT
Comment section closures broke the feedback loop
Newsrooms shut down comments sections to curb toxicity and hate. This reduced moderation effort but killed meaningful dialogue. Journalists lost a direct, trustworthy way to hear from readers.
RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
Taking inspiration from social media, creators and influencers
Influencers & Creators
Creators build trust by showing their process and personality. We wanted journalists to have similar tools, spaces where transparency earns loyalty.
Social Media Platforms
Likes, follows, and polls create visible participation loops. We explored how this lightweight feedback could translate for CNN.
DESIGN PROCESS
What if we took the best parts of social media while upholding principles of good journalism?
From our research, three patterns guided the product direction, participation that feels safe, transparency that builds trust, and recognition that humanizes reporting.
I Design decisions and enhancements based on feedback from users, journalists and the CNN team. I Design decisions and enhancements based on feedback from users, journalists and the CNN team
SOLUTION
Bud.ai fits into design and engineering teams and has the ability to act as an interdisciplinary collaborator
Whether you're sketching initial concepts or refining final prototypes, Bud’s suite of interactive tools — from advanced prompting controls to downloadable files — seamlessly integrates into your workflow.
1/3
To begin a project, use the robust input framework to input your project specifications
We have thoughtfully designed each input field to provide context for your project, you can also upload files to help Bud understand exactly where you are in the process.
1/3
To begin a project, use the robust input framework to input your project specifications
We have thoughtfully designed each input field to provide context for your project, you can also upload files to help Bud understand exactly where you are in the process.
REFLECTION
Designing UX for AI-powered products
I learned that transparency, context, and timing are crucial when embedding AI into creative workflows, especially for interdisciplinary users. Having an input framework was key to streamline workflows by reducing repetitive back and forth between user and the AI interface.
What's next for Bud.ai
The next step is integrating Bud.AI into existing design tools through plugins, meeting users directly in their preferred environments. We're also focused on strengthening the solution exploration canvas and running real-world tests to better understand its impact and refine its capabilities.
