rediscover NYC with the iconic new york poster by alfalfa studio

rediscover NYC with the iconic new york poster by alfalfa studio
all images courtesy of alfalfa studio

‘everybody loves new york’ says rafael esquer, founder of soho’s alfalfa studio, ‘I wanted a beautiful souvenir that says new york loves you back.’ ‘iconic new york’ is a labor of love project by the studio, who spent over two years painstakingly researching, drawing, and composing the limited-edition poster.

final poster (movie poster size) 

the piece details neighborhoods, landmarks, iconic architecture, and other quirky characteristics that make NYC one of the most influential cities in the world. each of the 400+ illustrations were drawn by hand, 173 of which are buildings. spot-varnish is used on the final print, which highlights items that are identified by name on a gray-scale border that encloses the poster. esquer and partners funded the production directly; each is printed on museum-quality, premium italian heavy stock measuring 27x40in. a portion of every purchase goes on to help fund scholarships for minority students at art center college of design, esquer’s alma mater. 

the poster includes more than 400 illustrations 

detail of midtown manhattan

the project was completed over two-and-a-half years

the logo is made of manhattan’s high-rises, museums, sculptures and other places of interest 

spot UV coating on buildings help match them to their names along the perimeter 

the poster were printed on fsc-certified premium italian heavy cardstock

statue of liberty and ellis island detail 

the poster celebrates unique qualities that make new york one of the most iconic cities in the world

initial sketches  

illustration style explorations 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom