Digital redesign for the HHMI, aligning research and education under a clear, accessible website.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is one of the largest private funders of biomedical research in the United States, supporting scientists, educators, and institutions to advance discovery and science education worldwide. As HHMI’s programs and priorities evolved, the organization undertook a comprehensive redesign of its digital presence to better communicate its mission, scale, and impact.
In collaboration with Teal, HHMI reimagined its website as a cohesive, future-facing platform aligned with new strategic priorities. The redesigned site positions HHMI as a leader in scientific research and education while improving clarity, accessibility, and usability for a broad public audience, from researchers and educators to policymakers and the general public.
The redesigned site positions HHMI as a leader in scientific research and education while improving clarity and usability for a broad audience, including researchers, educators, policymakers, and the general public. Rather than introducing a new visual language, the platform builds on HHMI’s current brand and image, ensuring continuity across print, environmental, and digital touchpoints.
SCOPE
UX/UI design, digital identity integration, visual system refinement, and brand photography direction
ROLE
Senior Designer
Concept development
UX/UI design
Presentation
Visual system development
Design collaboration and QA
TEAL TEAM
Aruna Mall
Katrina Connelly
Leidy Restrepo
To help HHMI better tell these stories, We designed HHMI a flexible, scalable design system. It was composed of library components that lets the HHMI team create compelling narratives with both short- and long-form content. We also included media-rich components to make sure they are elevating the scientific innovation that makes this organization so unique.
The project began with a comprehensive audit of HHMI’s content ecosystem. Working closely with internal stakeholders, we evaluated what content needed to be rewritten, elevated, consolidated, or archived. This analysis informed a streamlined content strategy and the development of modular templates designed to support clear storytelling and long-term sustainability.
To support this strategy, we developed a flexible, scalable design system composed of reusable components for both short- and long-form content. The system allows HHMI teams to create rich narratives that integrate editorial content, data, and media while maintaining consistency across programs and initiatives. Media-forward components were designed to foreground scientific work and make complex research more legible without oversimplification.
In parallel, we curated a robust library of on-brand photography drawn from HHMI’s seventy-year archive. The selection emphasized scientists actively engaged in their work, centering authenticity and representation in alignment with HHMI’s long-standing commitment to broadening access and participation in science.
The final platform integrates brand, content, and infrastructure into a durable digital system. Structural and technical improvements ensure content is searchable, indexable, and interconnected, supporting discovery, growth, and ongoing evolution. The result is a clear and extensible foundation that allows HHMI to communicate its mission and impact with consistency and authority across digital channels.
