Thought Matter reimagined one of New York City's most recognizable public objects as a moving platform for civic dialogue. Created for Trucks of Art, a collaborative initiative between the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and the Sanitation Foundation, our concept CARE IN MOTION was one of five winners selected from more than 400 submissions.

The project transformed a DSNY collection truck into a celebration of the workers and infrastructure that keep the city running. I conceptualized the idea, developed the creative brief, and wrote the winning submission, grounding the work in a simple observation: sanitation workers are often invisible until something goes wrong. I also developed the truck's street-level voice, including its front headline, "Picking Up What NYC Puts Down," a line that honors both the essential work of sanitation crews and the city's shared responsibility in caring for public space. 

Along the truck's sides, messages like "We're Workin' Here" and "We're Keepin' It Moving" borrow New York's signature blend of directness and dry humor, acknowledging the brief inconveniences sanitation work can cause while reminding New Yorkers that those delays are what keep the city moving. Inspired by the visual language of hand-painted signs, construction notices, and everyday street communication, the project demonstrates how design can transform public infrastructure into a shared cultural experience.