New York City Office of

Technology & Innovation

New York City Office of

Technology & Innovation

Designing an acessible and scalable visual identity system for New York City's digital ecosystem.

Designing an acessible and scalable visual identity system for New York City's digital ecosystem.

My Role

My Role

Digital Design
Visual Communication Design
UX & Information Design

Digital Design
Visual Communication Design
UX & Information Design

Affiliation

Affiliation

New York City Government

New York City Government

In Collaboration with

In Collaboration with

NYCOTI AI Division
Cross-Agency Players

Accessibiity Managers

NYCOTI AI Division
Cross-Agency Players

Accessibiity Managers

Timeline

Summer 2025

Research Methods

Research Methods

Design Audits
Stakeholder Reviews
Accessibility Evaluation

Design Audits
Stakeholder Reviews
Accessibility Evaluation

Industry

Industry

Government Technology

Government Technology

Project Type

Project Type

Digital Service Design
Public Sector Design
Accessibility & Communication Systems

Visual Design

Digital Service Design
Public Sector Design
Accessibility & Communication Systems

Visual Design

Team

Product Managers
Researchers
Designers
Agency Stakeholders

Overview

Designing a scalable visual identity system for New York City's digital ecosystem.

Designing a scalable visual identity system for New York City's digital ecosystem.

Background

When I joined the New York City Office of Technology & Innovation, I stepped into one of the largest public digital ecosystems in the country.


Dozens of agencies, services, and communication channels serve millions of New Yorkers every day. Maintaining consistency across those experiences while meeting accessibility standards presented a unique design challenge.


Research Goal


My primary focus was helping develop a scalable visual system that could support multiple city departments while maintaining a cohesive identity.


I conducted design audits, explored accessible color systems, and created prototypes to test applications across different contexts. I also contributed to initiatives supporting the modernization of NYC.gov.

Outcome


I developed visual system explorations, launch communications, accessible reporting templates, and strategic presentation materials for city initiatives.


This work strengthened my understanding of designing at scale. It showed me how accessibility, consistency, and clarity become critical when serving millions of people through a shared public platform.

The Challenge

NYC.gov supports dozens of agencies, each with unique communication needs. While this flexibility is necessary, it can also create fragmented visual experiences. I wanted to understand how a shared visual system could strengthen consistency while remaining flexible enough for different departments.

Conducting a Design Audit


What I reviewed

  • Existing agency websites

  • Color usage

  • Accessibility concerns

  • Brand inconsistencies

  • User interface patterns

What I reviewed

  • Existing agency websites

  • Color usage

  • Accessibility concerns

  • Brand inconsistencies

  • User interface patterns

Identifying System Requirements

Accessibility


Meet WCAG requirements


Scalability


Work across dozens of departments.


Flexibility


Allow agency distinction without losing cohesion.

Accessibility


Meet WCAG requirements


Scalability


Work across dozens of departments.


Flexibility


Allow agency distinction without losing cohesion.

Takeaways

Takeaways

Designing for Scale


I learned that public-sector design extends beyond individual screens. Every design decision can affect millions of residents across a network of services.

Accessibility Shapes Better Design


Accessibility requirements improved clarity and consistency throughout the work. They became design constraints that strengthened outcomes rather than limiting them.

Systems Create Impact


The most valuable work was often invisible to users. Building scalable frameworks helped create consistency across experiences far beyond a single deliverable.

Designing for Scale


I learned that public-sector design extends beyond individual screens. Every design decision can affect millions of residents across a network of services.

Accessibility Shapes Better Design


Accessibility requirements improved clarity and consistency throughout the work. They became design constraints that strengthened outcomes rather than limiting them.

Systems Create Impact


The most valuable work was often invisible to users. Building scalable frameworks helped create consistency across experiences far beyond a single deliverable.

Playing cards collector. 62 decks in, no plans to stop.

I collect playing cards.

I’m at 54 decks and counting…

Playing cards collector. 62 decks in, no plans to stop.