Signs of the Times

During the 2020 quarantine and well into 2021, many small businesses (especially community-driven and Asian-owned) experienced a drastic loss in customers, leading to reduced hours, staff, and shutdowns. To reflect on this event, I designed digital 3D neon signs within a 3D recreation of Chinatown representing types of businesses (especially in San Fransisco’s Chinatown) hurt by the pandemic. Neon signs are often used in small Asian business storefronts, but these signs also refer to a troubling time in history that we are arguably still living through. Despite the struggles, the signs stay on as well as the open sign, conveying the determination to stay open and welcoming despite the challenges with the lack of tourism and Xenophobia. Above the streets, lanterns are hovering around, (similar to Chinatown’s Grant Avenue), illuminating a more hopeful outlook for the future.