The new editorial list, presented by Autodesk, debuts in September 2026 to spotlight the builders, researchers, and visionaries driving tomorrow's physical and digital world

TIME today announced TIME Trailblazers: Designing and Making the Future, a new editorial list that will debut in September 2026, presented by Autodesk, one of the world’s largest Design and Make technology companies. The announcement was made during TIME100 Talks - Creativity at Machine Speed: Human Expression in the Age of AI event during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity by TIME and Autodesk.

Selected by TIME’s editors, TIME Trailblazers: Designing and Making the Future will recognize an exclusive group of architects, engineers, technologists, founders, researchers and builders addressing major challenges and whose work is expanding what is possible across climate adaptation, housing, infrastructure, mobility, connectivity, cultural preservation and ecosystem resilience. 

"TIME Trailblazers: Designing and Making the Future will recognize people whose work is reshaping how communities live, move, connect and adapt," said Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME. "This new list will spotlight the individuals helping design and make the future through work that is practical, ambitious and consequential. We are grateful to our partners at Autodesk for their support."

“Designing and making a better world is not an abstract idea. It is happening every day on construction sites, in design studios, in engineering firms, and in research labs around the world,” said Dara Treseder, Chief Marketing Officer of Autodesk. “The architects, builders, engineers, and technologists tackling climate resilience, housing, infrastructure, and other urgent challenges are the reason Autodesk exists. Supporting TIME in recognizing these Trailblazers is a powerful way to celebrate the people building a better future.”

"Some of the most important stories of this moment are taking shape through the built environment, through scientific and technical problem-solving, and through the people turning ideas into reality," said Dan Macsai, Executive Editor and Chief Strategy Officer of TIME. "This list will recognize those individuals while their work is actively changing communities, industries and the world around them."

TIME Trailblazers: Designing and Making the Future will debut on TIME.com in September 2026. 

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