Transfernation

Revolutionizing Food Rescue with Technology and Heart

Transfernation, NYC’s pioneering app-based food rescue service, is on a mission to combat food waste. By partnering with restaurants and kitchens, the organization redirects surplus food from these establishments to shelters, preventing it from ending up in trash cans. As their initiative evolved, Transfernation embraced cargo bikes as a sustainable means to carry out these food transfers, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

In 2018, recognizing the need to keep up with their expanding services, Transfernation launched a new website and app. This also presented an opportunity to showcase their operations through animation. But how does one encapsulate the essence of a cargo bike service traversing the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan, guided by app notifications for direction?

The animation commenced by hand-drawing and inking the figure of Transfernation's cargo bike connoisseur, Diego, engaged in an endless loop of picking up food deliveries. Accompanying this imagery, a cell phone icon located in the lower right corner represented food pickups, synchronized with app vibrations and pings. To convey the extensive scope of their citywide service, the background was skillfully designed as a brick wall mural adorned with iconic NYC landmarks. This artistic tapestry featured landmarks such as The Chrysler Building, The Arch at Washington Square Park, the Brooklyn Public Library, the Wall Street Bull, and the Langston Hughes statue in Harlem.

The animated loop was prominently featured as the lead image on Transfernation's new website, offering an engaging introduction to their innovative service. Furthermore, it graced the screens of NYC taxi cabs, captivating passengers through their backseat television displays.