Washington, DC is getting bolder—and a whole lot brighter—thanks to a new mural installation at CityCenterDC, the city’s fashion-forward hub within a 10-acre mixed-use development in the heart of downtown.
Created by Design Army, the monumental mural spans an impressive 23 × 22 × 50 feet and serves as a vibrant celebration of the city’s art, culture, and creative spirit. Inspired by DC itself, the work bursts with color and energy, embracing a surrealist approach that fuses Renaissance-style composition with unmistakably local iconography. Visual references pull from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, pandas from the Smithsonian National Zoo, and beloved symbols including cherry blossoms, national monuments, and other instantly recognizable elements of the city.
At a moment when the political climate often feels heavy and somber, the mural intentionally moves in the opposite direction—offering a joyful, imaginative counterpoint amplified through the use of AI. Design Army leveraged MidJourney to generate individual visual elements—from painterly interpretations of the Washington Monument to Renaissance-inspired pandas—before meticulously composing the final cityscape. The process mirrored traditional collage-making, with human craft guiding every decision.
“Creatives still need to bring craft into AI for visuals to have feeling and make an impact,” says Pum Lefebure, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Design Army.
Extending beyond the mural itself, the project also includes a visual social micro-campaign spotlighting Washington, DC’s fashion, art, and design influencers—creative voices actively shaping the city’s cultural identity. Rather than relying on traditionally recognized tastemakers, the campaign reimagines influence through a more expansive, community-driven lens, reinforcing the mural’s central idea: a DC cityscape defined by creativity, optimism, and imagination.
CITYSCAPE CREDITS
CLIENT: CITYCENTERDC
Managing Director: Timothy R. Lowery
Director Mixed-Use Marketing and Brand Strategy: Melissa King
ARTWORK BY: DESIGN ARMY
Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer: Pum Lefebure
Account Director: Jake Lefebure
Creative Director: Heloise Condroyer
Senior Designer: Jason Chae
Social Media: Molly Stotts, Richard Liu
PHOTOGRAPHY
Director / Photographer: Dean Alexander
1st AD / Producer: Erin Winebrenner
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