Tech:NYC
Tech:NYC is a nonprofit organization that focuses on growth and sustainability of New York’s tech ecosystem. By advocating for policies that support innovation, creating connections among industry leaders, and promoting NYC as a global tech hub, Tech:NYC plays a role in shaping the future of technology in the city.
Service
NFT illustration
For Tech:NYC, I designed the Volunteer 'badge'—a thank-you NFT awarded to 30 core contributors of a Tech:NYC event focused on educating students (ages 16–26) about crypto and NFTs. Their summer program supported 600 students, helping them prepare for careers in the tech industry.
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Below are three drafts I explored: the left design symbolizes technology and program completion, the middle draws inspiration from NYC’s iconic grocery bag with its ‘Have a nice day, thank you’ smiley, and the right leans into a badge or patch style, meant to be worn on clothing or accessories. However, none fully captured the essence of New York, technology, and gratitude. So, I went back to the drawing board
When reworking the concept, I drew inspiration from a vintage Apple computer, incorporating colors and geometric patterns from the iconic NYC coffee cup along with it's message of gratitude. For the background, I adapted a design from a previous project; a trending ‘vaporwave’ aesthetic to resonate with the youth-focused nature of this initiative.
The final NFT design was well received, subtly nodding to NYC without feeling kitsch while incorporating a retro aesthetic that resonated with both adult volunteers and students. It was a blast working on this small yet meaningful project.