Reimagining the CNN App
Designing a personalized, human, and video-centric news experience for the next generation of audiences

Context & Challenge
The CNN app has long been synonymous with breaking news. But as consumption habits evolved and competition from social platforms intensified, users began seeking more context, human connection, and balanced storytelling—not just headlines.
Despite its massive reach, CNN faced a core challenge:
How might we evolve beyond hard news and build a modern experience that keeps both loyal audiences and new generations engaged with our trusted journalism?
The strategic goal was clear:
Adapt to new consumption patterns and lead in holistic storytelling.
Attract new audiences while deepening loyalty among existing users.
Build a sustainable revenue model through Subscriptions + Ads.

My Role
As Staff Product Designer, I partnered with Product, Research, and Engineering leads to define the design vision for the future CNN app. My focus was to translate the company’s strategic pillars — Video Centric, Timely & Convenient, and Human Connection — into an actionable, user-centered design system and set of product principles.
This included:
Leading the creation of user journey maps and need states across core moments of engagement.
Designing new content experiences that balanced editorial integrity with personalization.
Framing the experience strategy that could inform future app sprints and roadmap decisions.


Audience Insights
We began by deeply understanding our audiences through surveys (122 respondents) and in-depth interviews (9 participants).
Current CNN Users
Loyal, affluent, older (55+).
High brand affinity but low desire for personalization.
Use the app for breaking news, but rarely explore beyond headlines.
Future CNN Users
Ages 18–54; discover news via social or search.
Value convenience, curation, and a lighter emotional load.
Seek video-forward, mobile-native formats that fit into daily routines.
We also identified key moments of engagement — wake-up, commute, lunch break, and unwind — and designed our future-state app to meet users where they are.
Design Vision
The design strategy for the CNN app was built around three pillars that aligned with both user needs and business goals:
Video Centric
Make video the default mode of storytelling — not an add-on.
Blend live coverage, short-form clips, and immersive formats.
Timely & Convenient
Help users stay informed efficiently, without being overwhelmed.
Personalize discovery and curation for quick, relevant access.
Human Connection
Strengthen trust by spotlighting CNN’s reporters and experts.
Introduce ways for users to engage and express their voice.
Key Experience Concepts

1. Home Feed Reimagined
A dynamic blend of editorial and personalized content designed to meet users in their moment:
Modular cards that mix breaking news with positive, human stories.
Video-first layouts for better engagement and visual storytelling.
“Take a Break” modules that inject lighter or uplifting content to offset hard news fatigue.
“I need a way to stay informed without being overwhelmed.”

2. Smart Context
Empowering depth and understanding with tools that let users go further when they choose:
AI-generated story summaries reviewed by editors.
Interactive timelines, maps, and data visualizations.
Subscriber-only deep-dive experiences for those seeking more context.
“I want the right tools to dive deeper when I’m ready.”

3. Personalization & Onboarding
A reimagined onboarding and feed algorithm that tailors content to each user’s interests:
Topic-based preference setting (“More like this / Less like this”).
Tailored alerts and notifications based on routines.
Enhanced search experience for quick topic access.
“I want news aligned to my interests and habits.”

4. Interactive & Human News
Reconnecting audiences with the people behind CNN’s journalism:
Live commenting with reporters and editors.
Enhanced bylines with talent spotlights and follow features.
The ability to engage directly with correspondents during live coverage.
“I need someone I trust to help me understand the world around me.”
Outcomes & Strategic Impact
While still in phased development, this work:
Established a unified app design vision across multiple CNN product teams.
Informed feature roadmaps for personalization, video integration, and engagement tools.
Anchored long-term strategy around three durable user pillars, enabling consistent decision-making.
Created a design narrative that senior leadership could rally around to secure investment and cross-team alignment.