For our recently released Only NY for MoMA capsule collection, we reimagined the Community of New York graphic illustrated by our co-founder Micah NYC.

Reflecting on the meaning behind the piece, Micah shares, “I’ve always loved doodling and creating characters. I wanted to bring to life a range of characters that felt diverse, quirky, and full of attitude, just like New York City.”

Speaking on his artistic process, he explains, “I began with quick marker sketches in my notebook, creating different versions of each character. They are then live traced into illustrator where I can refine and reorder them into a more cohesive set.”

On developing the version for MoMA, Micah adds, “For the custom set of characters we created for MoMA, I mixed some of our existing characters with new ones that felt iconic to New York. The goal was to highlight everyday symbols that immediately resonate with anyone who’s spent time in the city.”

The Only NY for MoMA T-shirt and Wall Clock are available at onlyny.com and in-store at Only NY’s flagship location at 176 Stanton St. The full collection is also available online at store.moma.org and in-store at the MoMA Design Store in Soho at 81 Spring Street.