Emmy Star Brown

Artist

Chicago

For Serve’s Moving Canvas program, Chicago artist Emmy Star Brown created a bright, abstract robot design inspired by her city, her neighborhood, and the joy of encountering art in unexpected places.

Instagram

Emmy Star Brown

Emmy Star Brown

Artist

Emmy Star Brown

Emmy Star Brown

Artist

Artist bio

Emmy Star Brown is a Chicago native whose creative practice spans murals, illustration, lettering, canvas work, branding, packaging, and public art. Her work is shaped by Chicago’s style, story, and character, and often uses color, line, layering, and playful composition to create moments of wonder and connection.

After studying visual communications and working in advertising, Emmy built an independent art practice that has brought her work into public spaces across Chicago and beyond. Her Moving Canvas design continues that approach, bringing a bright, approachable visual language to a robot moving through the city.

The design

Emmy’s design is a playful, abstract tribute to Chicago. Built from shapes collected in her Logan Square neighborhood, the work turns local visual cues into a colorful robot wrap designed to move through the city like a mural on wheels.

The design is meant to spark curiosity, surprise, and joy. Emmy imagines the robot as an unexpected first impression, something people encounter before the food even arrives.

Design inspiration: Chicago, Logan Square, abstract neighborhood shapes, bright color, movement, playfulness, inclusivity, and connection.

Q&A with Emmy Star Brown

• What inspired your design? Chicago, my city. With a bright mix of abstract shapes and lines, the design creates a visual narrative that feels playful, inclusive, and uplifting. I love the idea of a movable mural carrying that spirit through the streets.

• What excites you the most about bringing your design to the community by way of Serve? I love that art can show up in unexpected places. The design adds an element of surprise and curiosity—for the person receiving the food as well as everyone who catches the robot along the way.

• How do you see the robot fitting into the community visually? As a joyful, unexpected mural on wheels rolling through the city. Like coming across a new mural, it may cause people to pause, appreciate the moment, and elicit a bit of joy, wonder, and inspiration.

• Are you aiming for the robot to blend in, stand out, or spark conversation? Spark conversation. My hope is that it catches eyes, sparks curiosity, and maybe even inspires someone to snap a photo.

• Did you draw on any local culture, landmarks, or traditions in your design? It reflects Chicago in an abstract, interpretive way. All the shapes were collected in my neighborhood [Logan Square].

• How do you want people to feel when they encounter the robot? Surprised and uplifted. I like the idea of this being the first impression of the delivery experience before they even see the food inside.

• What story or message does your design tell about the community? That Chicago is a city fueled by creativity, diversity, and connection.

• How would you describe the personality your design gives the robot? Playful, lively, and approachable.