Client: The New Yorker Magazine
Illustration | Cover Design | Typography
Illustration | Cover Design | Typography
For this conceptual editorial illustrated cover of The New Yorker, I was inspired by the vibrant, chaotic, and endlessly interconnected nature of life in New York City. The final illustration depicts a gumball machine placed on a subway platform—each brightly colored gumball representing a different NYC subway line.
This whimsical metaphor captures the city's fast-paced rhythm and the diversity of experiences that come with every commute. Much like the gumballs, each subway line holds its own unique flavor, color, and character—but they all spin within the same chaotic, beautiful machine that is New York.
The challenge was to create an image that felt playful yet deeply symbolic—something that could sit on the cover of an iconic publication and resonate with both longtime New Yorkers and curious outsiders. I balanced nostalgia with modernity through hand-drawn textures, bold color choices, and thoughtful composition.
The piece tells a layered story in a single frame, sparking curiosity and inviting viewers to find themselves—and their commute—in the chaos of the city’s transit system. It’s a love letter to the daily grind, wrapped in bubblegum and glass.
Full Process
