NYC Free Museums

Data Visualization / 2026


I created an interactive map showing free museums around NYC after spending a summer there and wanting a tool like it to exist. You can view it externally here.

Information Organization

The map integrates bright, contrasting colors and a faux monospaced typface to keep a light, curious tone with an edge of authority. The museum features are set against a desaturated map, placing museums at the top of the information hierarchy while still providing enough information to get around. Animations are used sparingly to give the interaction a playful quality and leave a lasting impression on the user so that they remember the resource when looking for activities.

Filter Design

The map contains over 150 museums, each with different types, hours, and free programs. To reduce mental load on the user, each category of information is presented as a filter designed to match the user's preconceived notions: type colors match common colors associated with museum topics, and days are formatted like a weekly calendar. Advanced filters are concealed in the menu as to not overwhelm the user on load.

Accessibility

To keep the map accessible to the visually impaired, colors have high contrast and feature labels include letters. The map is dynamically coded, designed to resize when the user increases their font size.