CEC/PEOPLE’S CREATIVE INSTITUTE: PLAY YOUR PART

The Sunnies are futuristic New Yorkers who have traveled back in time to inspire us with the power of community and mutual care, showing us the path to a brighter, sunnier future. Named for their radiant optimism, these two-foot statues were distributed to various organizations across New York City to promote participatory budgeting, an initiative where residents vote to allocate up to $5,000,000 in funding for community projects. The Sunnies have been prominently displayed at iconic NYC locations, including the Mayor’s Office, Lincoln Center, and public parks, engaging thousands of people in this democratic process.

As the lead designer on this project, I developed the key art that brought The Sunnies to life, encouraging the public to discover them across the city and participate in voting. The artwork was displayed in major NYC venues and also as part of a guerilla marketing campaign, with posters and visuals appearing unexpectedly across the city to generate buzz and intrigue. Additionally, I designed the packaging and care instructions for the statues sent to organizations and crafted social media templates to promote both the Sunnies and the organizations hosting them, such as The Asian American Arts Alliance and Lincoln Center. Through this campaign, we energized civic engagement and highlighted the impact of collective decision-making.