box creations: Mural Project

Box Creations is a community utility box mural program made by the Asian Business Association of San Diego, SDG&E and Cox. The intent of this project is to spread awareness of the rise in Asian hate crimes and to unify all San Diegans through murals of positive messages throughout Convoy District, which stands among the largest Pan-Asian business districts in the United States. My design was the first to be accepted and I was given the biggest box in “the heart of Convoy.”

The box’s busy location and its ten panels called for a more interactive design — one that would encourage curious bystanders to walk around the box but also quickly communicate the point of togetherness for those driving by.

As a result, the largest panels facing the busy streets contain the lettering, “We are stronger together,” and, “We are better together”. Each is drawn over alternating and radiating colors to grab the viewers’ attention and to encourage them to read and reflect on these powerful reminders.

The side panels include characters of varying generations, gender, and color, literally and figuratively lifting each other up. On top of each character pile is a panther and a tiger to signify Black Americans and Asian Americans respectively. Although the main intent of this project was to address Asian hate crimes in our city and country, I knew it was just as important to uplift our Black American communities during this time, as well.

The box is still in progress, but if you’re around San Diego, California, feel free to visit the box and support a local restaurant in the Convoy District! The mural location is 4646 Convoy St., San Diego, CA 92111.

Coverage from KUSI News and San Diego Business Journal
Contracted by Asian Business Association, San Diego and SDG&E