The Iconic Project
One icon for each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
-

Alabama
From Montgomery to Tuskegee to Huntsville, there is plenty of history found throughout the state of Alabama. This icon finds Inspiration in all those cities and features representations of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the contributions to space exploration in Huntsville, and the Black soldiers that served as part of the Tuskegee Airmen.
-

Alaska
This design was Inspired by the natural and scenic wonders of the Alaskan landscape.
-

Arizona
Inspiration is taken from Sedona’s Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Environmental & Natural Resources Building at University of Arizona in Tucson, and Saguaro Cacti.
-

Arkansas
Home to wild boars, known as Razorbacks, and to the beauty of the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas offers a stunning escape from the busy metropolitan cities of the Midwest.
-

California
California spans two-thirds of the west coast and features landmarks throughout the state. This icon was inspired by some that I find the most memorable: the Santa Monica Pier in LA, the Transamerica Pyramid in San Fransisco, and Redwood National Park.
-

Colorado
This simple design was inspired by the caribou that call Colorado home, the Rocky Mountains in the west, and the ski resorts which find refuge in those mountains.
-

Connecticut
A small state rich in history, this icon features interpretations of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center and Downtown Hartford.
-

Delaware
Featuring an interpretation of the Cape Henlopen tower, a relic of World War II, where soldiers monitored the coastline as they searched for approaching enemy ships. Also seen is the Atlantic Historic Crab and an abstract diamond as Delaware is also known as the diamond state.
-

Florida
Florida has much to offer its residents and visitors that a simple design featuring the coastal wildlife and the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets that are seen along all of Florida’s beaches best represented this state.
-

Georgia
This simple design reflects the three distinct geographic regions of Georgia: the coastline, piedmont, and southern most portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
-

Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands offer travelers unique and stunning experiences. Featuring three of the largest islands, Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu, this icon captures these encounters in a simple form. On the left we find Oahu and an interpretation of Waikiki Beach with the iconic Diamond Head volcano in the distance. Center, we find Maui home to the stunning landscapes of Haleakala and sea turtles as they glide elegantly through the coastal waters. Finally, on the right, we visit the “Big Island” of Hawaii where one can witness the birth of land and the beauty that is created once the virgin earth cools. Waterfalls of lava and water represent this fascinating display.
-

Idaho
The distinctive shape of Idaho is not the only thing that makes it special. Beautiful, yet distinct, regions make for amazing scenery and a unique history. The Museum of Idaho's upcoming exhibit on Mammoths provides one such example.
-

Illinois
There is far more to Illinois than Chicago, but as one of the most recognizable skylines in the Union, it acted as the inspiration for this icon. The rivers that run through downtown and the Willis Tower are featured in this design.
-

Indiana
Home to the internationally renowned speedway, Indianapolis, and several other sites, I could not pass by an opportunity to represent the state with a museum dedicate to our future. The whimsical architecture and design of the Indianapolis Children's Museum served as reference for this icon design.
-

Iowa
Inspiration was taken from the Des Moines Pedestrian Bridge and the endless fields that bless this midwestern state.
-

Kansas
Kansas was once described as long drives of flat landscape with the occasional excitement of a single tree. One of the Union’s great plain states, agriculture serves this state well, however found in the simplistic design above is the Kansas City's Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
-

Kentucky
The icon for the Commonwealth of Kentucky was inspired by its beautiful landscape and the famous Kentucky Derby.
-

Louisiana
The mystery of New Orleans is known to many outside of Louisiana, therefore this icon features interpretations of the famous Bourbon Street and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome which provided all shelter during Hurricane Katrina.
-

Maine
Maine is represented in this abstract form of a lighthouse guiding the way for the incoming fishermen that support the local economy.
-

Maryland
The icon design above takes inspiration from the mountains in the west, Antietam National Battlefield, and National Harbor.
-

Massachusetts
Filled with history, the icon for Massachusetts attempts to highlight unique areas of the state rather than focusing on its known history. Reference was taken from scenes in Cambridge and the Hatch Memorial Shell located in Boston.
-

Michigan
Featuring inspiration from Detroit’s Central Station, the modern architecture of the GM Renaissance Center, and scenery from the upper peninsula, Michigan’s unique geographic area is represented in the design.
-

Minnesota
Featuring interpretations of the 3rd Avenue Bridge, Vikings stadium, and the coastline of the North Shore, Minnesota is a place to behold.
-

Mississippi
This seemingly complicated design was inspired by the riverboats that once filled the Mighty Mississippi and finds further inspiration from the state flag.
-

Missouri
Having only driven through and flown over the great state of Missouri, I looked for recognizable and unique symbols to form the icon above. The design was completed with depictions of the Missouri Botanical Gardens and the St. Louis Arch.
-

-

Nebraska
My mother has described Nebraska as one of her favorite places to live because of the wonderful people she met there. The beautiful people and the state itself, is represented by the beauty of Chimney Rock and the endless fields of wheat found in the great plains.
-

Nevada
The Hoover Dam, the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range, and the Spanish translation of Nevada — "covered in snow" — was inspiration for this icon design.
-

New Hampshire
The small communities of New Hampshire are easily recognizable by the white spires of the town's churches.
-

New Jersey
Known as the Garden State, the icon above, represents this nickname in its simplest form; a flower.
-

New Mexico
This icon is inspired by the design of the state flag. Only a portion is shown, but as a whole the flag is an amazing representation of state and her people.
-

New York
New York is an amazing and diverse state. Unique in its scenery and people. This design was heavily influenced by my experiences and memories of time spent in NYC. The icon features depictions of the new NYC skyline, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
-

North Carolina
Simple and iconic, this design features interpretations of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh and the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
-

North Dakota
First home to Native Americans, the icon features an interpretation of the North Dakota Heritage Center which looks to help tell their important story.
-

Ohio
Ohio is known as the buckeye state and is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This icon pulls inspiration from both of these unique aspects.
-

Oklahoma
I enjoyed my time in Oklahoma and although I was only there for a year, the people I met were kind and the history I learned was amazing. For this icon, however, I chose to highlight the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.
-

Oregon
Featuring representations of Mt. Hood, Haystack Rock, and the sea lions that call the Oregon coast home, this icon captures the essence of this western state.
-

Pennsylvania
The design is inspired by the keystone “state” nickname and Frank Lloyd Wright's home design, Fallingwater.
-

Rhode Island
Featuring representations of the Southeast Light on Block Island and the Rhode Island State flag, the simplistic design does the small state justice.
-

South Carolina
The historic state of South Carolina features beautiful plantations, fascinating cities, and beautiful scenery. The icon above focuses on the modern architecture of the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston and Caesars Head State Park located in the western portion of the state.
-

South Dakota
Until I began my research I knew very little of South Dakota, however the more I read the more I became fascinated by its beautiful history and landscape. The icon, above, features depictions of the National Minuteman Museum, the buffalo that once filled the landscape, the Dignity statue in Chamberlain, and the towering concrete tipis built by Ward Whitwam from 1968-79.
-

Tennessee
With the state being home of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the natural outcropping known as Lover's Leap, inspiration for this icon was easy to find.
-

Texas
Known as the Lone Star state, nothing quite captures Texas as does a single large star.
-

Utah
There is a lot to be said about the beauty of our country, but Utah’s stunning landscape should inspire much more than just this icon.
-

Vermont
Home to the largest Teddy Bear factory, Vermont also has a large population of black bears that are mostly located in the Green Mountains.
-

Virginia
My home. Interpretations of the historical battle between the Monitor and Merrimack, the United States Air Force memorial in Arlington, the Pentagon, and the Blue Ridge parkway inspire the icon for the Commonwealth.
-

Washington
The beauty of the state of Washington is captured with interpretations of Mt. Rainier, the Seattle Space Needle, and the Puget Sound.
-

West Virginia
There is an unexplored beauty within the mountains of West Virginia that everyone should experience. This icon features two such spots with representations of the New River Gorge Bridge and Seneca Rocks.
-

Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Art Museum and its stunning architecture and interior design inspire the icon representing the State of Wisconsin.
-

Wyoming
This abstract design is inspired by features at Yellowstone National Park and the massive, but pristine, stature of its buffalo inhabitants.
-

The District
Featuring representations of the Lincoln and Washington Memorials, Metro and the DC flag, this icon captures the beauty of our Nation’s capital.