OUTERNET X

VISIT PITTSBURGH

 

Site-specific Installation illustrations

 

​I was commissioned by the team at Outernet Global to create a series of illustrations for an immersive experience celebrating the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The installation, developed in collaboration with Visit Pittsburgh, was part of a takeover at Outernet London, located at Tottenham Court Road — a cutting-edge venue featuring floor-to-ceiling wraparound digital screens.

This project was especially meaningful to me. My grandparents were factory workers in Pennsylvania during WWII, and my father was born and raised there. With extended family still living in the state, I was excited to create work that connects to a place with strong personal ties.

The concept, titled “Pin It on Pittsburgh”, explored the city’s rich history and vibrant present — from its industrial steel roots to its modern-day identity as a hub for arts, culture, gastronomy, sports, and community events (including the beloved Picklesburgh pickle festival!).

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Concept Development & Sketching: I began with exploratory sketches to define visual themes that represented both the legacy and the evolving culture of the city.

Illustration & Vector Artwork: I created detailed vector illustrations for several large-scale digital walls, capturing key aspects of Pittsburgh’s identity — from icons like Andy Warhol and Heinz to the city’s sports teams and also the craft brewery scene.

Animation Assets: One of the walls (the South Wall) was developed as a layered illustration, later animated by the talented motion team at Outernet using my supplied animation elements.
 

Interactive Design: For the East Wall, visitors could trigger a spinning wheel animation via a sensor pad to discover facts about Pittsburgh — and receive themed souvenirs and merch.
 

Pattern Design: I also developed four custom illustrated patterns, each representing one of the themed pillars: Sports, Arts & Culture, Food & Gastronomy, and Events.
 

Artwork was also used for the event hoodies and promotional materials.
 

This was a fantastic opportunity to create site-specific, immersive illustrations that blend storytelling, history, and interactivity — and to celebrate a city from a state that means a great deal to me personally.