UNSEEN — Andres Cortes Design

UN—SEEN NYC tackles NYC’s housing crisis by amplifying overlooked local businesses and fostering community resilience through creative communication strategies.

Aiming to strength local ecosystems and raising awareness. With good design as a tool this initiative encourages dialogue that reimagines grassroots connections and leverages hyperlocal digital engagement.

OUTPUT 1 - DIGITAL COMMUNITY BOARDS

Digital Community Boards is part of UN-SEEN NYC's transformative project designed to modernize neighborhood communication.

By replacing static bulletin boards in local cafés and libraries with dynamic digital displays, we create an interactive platform where only community-generated content is showcased, supporting hyperlocal economy and minimizing the effects of the housing crisis in the city.

LINKS TO PROTOTYPE-

1:1 RATIO
9:16 RATIO

The screens are geo targeted and located in local cafes, libraries and supermarkets, where people are able to interact with content of generated only by the people in the area where the screen is located.

This service is free of charge and is only available for small local businesses, and independent individuals.

OUTPUT 2 - SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY

Social Media is part of UN‑SEEN NYC’s transformative project designed to modernize community engagement. By using Instagram as an informational hub. We designed a branded color system to categorize posts into impact, data, tools, news, and music, we deliver concise, updates on the housing crisis and practical resources for residents.

Complementing this, our Spotify playlists, curated to capture the everyday rhythm of New Yorkers feature embedded micro‑ads that guide listeners back to the core of the initiative, empowering them with creative solutions to make a tangible impact in their neighborhoods.

INSTAGRAM

SPOTIFY

LINK TO INSTAGRAM

LINK TO SPOTIFY

OUTPUT 3 - STAMP SERIES

This stamp collection captures the spirit of UN-SEEN NYC by showcasing two sides of the city: the instantly recognizable icons and the deeply local, often overlooked gems that define everyday life for New Yorkers.

Side A celebrates the global image of NYC, while Side B brings attention to the hyperlocal symbols known only to its residents. Together, they reflect the city's layered identity and spark conversation around visibility, belonging, and what makes a place feel like home.

All proceeds from the stamp series are donated to organizations supporting affordable housing and helping small businesses thrive, reinforcing the project’s mission to inform, uplift, and give back to the communities that shape the city.

WHY THIS DESIGN

The stamp packaging was intentionally designed to fit within the dimensions of existing USPS mailer slips, making it both practical and production-ready.

By aligning with standard postal sizes, the design minimizes waste, reduces shipping costs, and ensures seamless distribution through familiar systems. This thoughtful choice reinforces the project’s accessibility and grassroots ethos bridging design with everyday function while staying true to the spirit of local connection.