NYC 25x25

In a campaign to turn NYC streets into spaces for pedestrians, bikes, and buses, I created concepts for an animation to get New Yorkers fired up about pushing for streets that work for people, not just cars.

Role Concept Development
For Transportation Alternatives
Date 2021
Service strategy, campaign

Director Ege Soyuer
Campaign https://nyc25x25.org/

How do you inspire New Yorkers to demand a new way of life?

New York City streets make up its largest public space, but more than 75% of that space is devoted to the private automobile—despite the vast majority of New Yorkers not owning a car or driving to work. In early 2021, the nonprofit Transportation Alternatives (TA) and urban design firm WXY launched their 25x25 campaign, aimed at convincing NYC mayoral candidates and voters to push for permanently converting 25% of the city’s streets to pedestrian-dominant uses by 2025.

In preparation for the launch, TA and WXY approached me about creating an animation that could inspire New Yorkers to see their existing, car-dominated streetscapes with new eyes. They had written a set of narratives, but didn’t have much of a sense of what would be possible in a short amount of time.

Impact

WXY and TA were blown away by my concept explorations, and my approach helped them to develop a simple, strong vision that was brought to life by director Ege Soyuer and his team of designers/animators.