Grocery Signery investigates what the signs of everyday grocery stores can tell us about New York City’s cultural landscape. In a city where food cultures from around the world exist block by block, the names and signs of small, local grocers offer subtle but meaningful clues about community, culture, and identity.
Unlike upscale or curated food spaces, grocery stores are rooted in daily life—making them a powerful lens through which to explore multiculturalism in urban neighborhoods. This project analyzes grocery store signage across the city, studying both text and visual design elements such as typography, color, and language choice. By examining the structure of names and aesthetic trends, the project highlights how these overlooked elements communicate cultural values and shape how we navigate and connect with the city.
Using data visualization, the study maps signage styles across different boroughs and neighborhoods alongside demographic indicators like race, income, and age. The result is a portrait of grocery signage not just as functional design, but as cultural storytelling—revealing how everyday visuals reflect and preserve the identities of New York’s diverse communities.
