Tou Yia was commissioned by the New York City Department of Transportation to illustrate two signs featuring large “NYC” letters for the DOT’s Summer Open Streets events. These signs were displayed every Saturday in August 2025, rotating through different boroughs across the city.
The artwork promotes car-free transportation and reflects themes of climate awareness, community engagement, and summer in NYC. Tou Yia was one of two artists selected for this citywide initiative, which has drawn over half a million attendees in past years.
To bring these ideas to life, he illustrated vibrant scenes of characters using car-free modes of transportation—biking, skating, walking—set against iconic New York backdrops. A playful, carnival-style photo opportunity is built into the design, allowing people to stand behind the letters and place their heads through openings to become part of the artwork.
SIGN 1
SIGN 2
