Inc.5000 and Franchise programs redesign America’s private companies are the foundation of Inc.’s inception. Their struggles and successes drive the brands’ editorial coverage as well as eight multi-million dollar, top-line revenue franchise programs, the crown jewel being the Inc. 5000. Companies across all programs account for 99% of business in America. But their financial, workplace, and cultural achievements often prove they are anything but little.

My role was to lead the redesign, development, and launch of the online experience. We worked to align stakeholders on a foundational, user-first approach to better support all areas of the program. The main goals of the project were to increase editorial flexibility and brand lift while considering current and future revenue opportunities. 

Below are some of the key features we developed as part of the new design system for our franchises: 

Editorial curation tools
  • Story display options
  • Editorial curated lists
  • Related content modules

Data handling & insights
  • Interactive dashboard of key data points
  • Data related to user’s inputs
  • Decreased risk in list vetting process, systems audit

No dead ends for the user
  • Autofill search
  • Smarter filtering
  • Hub approach (surface full-program value/scope)

Wireframes


Project artifacts



Project outcomes
Increased user-facing clarity and navigation to the entirety of franchise touchpoints

Increased award sales, applications, and advertising opportunities

Successful frontend and backend implementation of editorial tools

Directed UX/UI efforts for improved user experience by providing intelligent filtering and navigation, and no dead ends

Launched first data-driven list experience for Inc. 5000; applicable features carried over to other franchise

On-going updates to tools and/or user-facing features that supported additional list types as they launched

©Kristin Lenz

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“Creativity is the ability to find order in chaos.” — Simon Sinek