The Big Idea
A sticker collection celebrating local landmarks along Metro’s new rapid bus route.
The Story
Cincinnati is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character, from historic districts to lively cultural hubs. Together, they create the patchwork identity of the city.
Process
In finding illustration inspiration, I wanted to find the line between familiarity and simplicity—making the landmarks recognizable for the community but also uniquely portrayed in a way that sparks intrique.
An early iteration that felt fun and imaginative but lacked overall consistency. Back to the drawing board, I honed in on simplifying the kit of parts and adding structure, without losing this liveliness.
Quick thumbnail sketches exploring rough layouts for different landmarks.
The final color palette was inspired by a downtown walk near sundown, when I noticed this vibrant mosaic of beautiful warm highlights and cool shadows.
The final illustration style, a process of reductive reimagination.
The Stickers
The full 24-sticker collection.