The Root Transit

Brand Development/ Art Direction/ Illustration/ Motion Design

The Root Transit is a story connecting Los Angeles through Culture and Transit. For the 2024 Disney Imaginations Student Competition, my team and I tackled the challenge of creating a transportation system enriched by the culture of the city it serves. We chose Los Angeles—a city rich in diversity, arts, history, and innovation but infamous for its fragmented public transit and heavy traffic. Our project, The Root (Rapid Overhead-Oriented Transit), is a visionary transportation system to unite LA's vast and diverse neighborhoods. The Root isn’t just about moving people; it’s about connecting them with the heart of the city. By blending state-of-the-art transit design with LA's deep cultural tapestry, The Root allows Angelenos to explore their city seamlessly—from the vibrant streets of Koreatown to the serene beaches of Santa Monica, the historic murals of East LA, and beyond.

As the branding lead, I crafted a cohesive visual identity for The Root, designed motion graphics, created characters to bring the story to life, and collaborated closely with my team of four to ensure our vision was clear and impactful. We worked with mentors, embraced teamwork, and brought this ambitious project to life in three weeks. Our hard work and dedication earned us the top 10% of this prestigious competition. This project is significant to me as a lifelong LA resident. Growing up in West Covina, I’ve always dreamed of a transit system allowing people to experience LA's beauty and diversity without sitting in 2 hours of traffic. The Root embodies that vision, offering an accessible way to explore neighborhoods and cultures often separated by long commutes and heavy traffic.