Get To Know Karen X Cheng
Regarded as one of the most influential digital creators in the world, Karen is known for her whimsical viral videos and collaborations with A-list celebrities, which have amassed over 500 million views. Named Inc’s 30 Under 30 (2018) and Adweek’s Creative 100 (2018), Karen’s eye-grabbing content blends her passion for innovation and personal storytelling.
This partnership with McDonald’s marks the San Francisco-based artist’s first brand partnership recognizing and celebrating her Chinese American heritage.
McDonald's & Karen X Cheng - Lunar New Year 2023
Celebrate In The Metaverse
Explore a virtual world that blends traditional Asian influences with futuristic elements while ringing in the new year with guests from all over the globe. Hosted on Spatial, and accessible through any connected device, the immersive experience will also feature special events including a Lunar New Year party (Tues. 1/31) and an evening with Karen X Cheng (Thurs. 2/2).
An AI-Powered TV Commercial
Inspired by Karen’s childhood memories of the holiday, the ad spot is one of the first to incorporate NeRF (neural radiance fields) technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to create an amazing 3D scene. Viewers can scan the on-screen QR code to experience the featured artwork as an interactive AR filter.
An AI-Powered TV Commercial
Inspired by Karen’s childhood memories of the holiday, the ad spot is one of the first to incorporate NeRF (neural radiance fields) technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to create an amazing 3D scene. Viewers can scan the on-screen QR code to experience the featured artwork as an interactive AR filter.
McDonald’s and the APA Community
As part of McDonald’s ongoing commitment to celebrating culture and serving communities, the Golden Arches supports and empowers APAs through year-long programs dedicated to ensuring that APAs feel seen and heard. In addition to celebrating important cultural moments like Lunar New Year, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali, McDonald’s is also committed to addressing the needs of APA youth with initiatives like APA Next, an APA-focused education initiative launched in 2021 to address the unique needs of APA students.
Kim Thái Nguyễn
(she/her)
Deb JJ Lee
(they/them)
Julia Kuo
(she/her)
Scroll to meet the artists
Kim Thái Nguyễn
(she/her)
Deb JJ Lee
(they/them)
Julia Kuo
(she/her)
Scroll to meet the artists
Julia Kuo
Meet the Artist
Julia Kuo (she/her)
Julia Kuo is the author and illustrator of Let’s Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night. She has also illustrated several picture books, including I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne and I Am An American: The Wong Kim Ark Story by Martha Brockenbrough and Grace Lin. Julia has created editorial illustrations for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Vox Media. She currently lives in Seattle, WA.
“Lunar New Year means that long winter nights are giving way to brighter, warmer days. My family enjoys celebrating the coming of spring in Taiwan by trekking up 陽明山 (Yang Ming Mountain) to see the cherry blossoms!”
Deb JJ Lee
Meet the Artist
Deb JJ Lee (they/them)
Deb JJ Lee is a Korean-American illustrator and graphic novelist based in Brooklyn, NY. They have a penchant for making sense of clutter and bold color palettes into lush compositions. Their first graphic novel titled IN LIMBO, a memoir that explores the intersection of mental illness and diaspora, publishes in March 2023 with First Second Books.
"One of my favorite parts about planning an illustration is figuring out how to balance detail and clutter into a composition that feels new and unique, or at least intentional. I also love twisting from an expected color palette to an unexpected one. As one learning about their culture, I am redefining my own Lunar New Year traditions with the love and sweetness from my chosen family."
Kim Nguyen
Meet the Artist
Kim Thái Nguyễn (she/her)
Kim Thái Nguyễn is an artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her illustrations usually involve characters, delicate lines, and vivid colors. Common themes in her work include food, pop culture, and exploring her culture as a child of Vietnamese immigrants. Kim also makes and sells art prints, pins, and t-shirts online and at occasional pop-up markets.
“While it's the Year of the Rabbit in other cultures, in Vietnamese culture it's the Year of the Cat! So I drew them both sharing fruit and surrounded by paper lanterns—colorful decorations I love to see around Tết (Lunar New Year)!”
Experience Lunar New Year Through A New Lens
Enjoy the magic of the holiday through your smartphone with this exclusive Instagram AR filter. Users will get to experience the transition from the Year of the Tiger (2022) to the Year of the Rabbit (2023) through a breathtaking 3D illusion.
Get To Know Karen X Cheng
Regarded as one of the most influential digital creators in the world, Karen is known for her whimsical viral videos and collaborations with A-list celebrities, which have amassed over 500 million views. Named Inc’s 30 Under 30 (2018) and Adweek’s Creative 100 (2018), Karen’s eye-grabbing content blends her passion for innovation and personal storytelling.
This partnership with McDonald’s marks the San Francisco-based artist’s first brand partnership recognizing and celebrating her Chinese American heritage.
Celebrate In The Metaverse
Explore a virtual world that blends traditional Asian influences with futuristic elements while ringing in the new year with guests from all over the globe. Hosted on Spatial, and accessible through any connected device, the immersive experience will also feature special events including a Lunar New Year party (Tues. 1/31 and an evening with Karen X Cheng (Thurs. 2/2).
An AI-Powered TV Commercial
Inspired by Karen’s childhood memories of the holiday, the ad spot is one of the first to incorporate NeRF (neural radiance fields) technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to create an amazing 3D scene. Viewers can scan the on-screen QR code to experience the featured artwork as an interactive AR filter.
McDonald’s and the APA Community
As part of McDonald’s ongoing commitment to celebrating culture and serving communities, the Golden Arches supports and empowers APAs through year-long programs dedicated to ensuring that APAs feel seen and heard. In addition to celebrating important cultural moments like Lunar New Year, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali, McDonald’s is also committed to addressing the needs of APA youth with initiatives like APA Next, an APA-focused education initiative launched in 2021 to address the unique needs of APA students.
Kim Thái Nguyễn (she/her)
Deb JJ Lee (they/them)
Julia Kuo (she/her)
Scroll to meet the artists
“Lunar New Year means that long winter nights are giving way to brighter, warmer days. My family enjoys celebrating the coming of spring in Taiwan by trekking up 陽明山 (Yang Ming Mountain) to see the cherry blossoms!”
“Lunar New Year means that long winter nights are giving way to brighter, warmer days. My family enjoys celebrating the coming of spring in Taiwan by trekking up 陽明山 (Yang Ming Mountain) to see the cherry blossoms!”
Meet the Artist
Julia Kuo (she/her)
Julia Kuo is the author and illustrator of Let’s Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night. She has also illustrated several picture books, including I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne and I Am An American: The Wong Kim Ark Story by Martha Brockenbrough and Grace Lin. Julia has created editorial illustrations for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Vox Media. She currently lives in Seattle, WA.
(click to see Julia's art)
"One of my favorite parts about planning an illustration is figuring out how to balance detail and clutter into a composition that feels new and unique, or at least intentional. I also love twisting from an expected color palette to an unexpected one. As one learning about their culture, I am redefining my own Lunar New Year traditions with the love and sweetness from my chosen family."
Meet the Artist
Deb JJ Lee (they/them)
Deb JJ Lee is a Korean-American illustrator and graphic novelist based in Brooklyn, NY. They have a penchant for making sense of clutter and bold color palettes into lush compositions. Their first graphic novel titled IN LIMBO, a memoir that explores the intersection of mental illness and diaspora, publishes in March 2023 with First Second Books.
(click to see Deb's art)
“While it's the Year of the Rabbit in other cultures, in Vietnamese culture it's the Year of the Cat! So I drew them both sharing fruit and surrounded by paper lanterns—colorful decorations I love to see around Tết (Lunar New Year)!”
Meet the Artist
Kim Thái Nguyễn (she/her)
Kim Thái Nguyễn is an artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her illustrations usually involve characters, delicate lines, and vivid colors. Common themes in her work include food, pop culture, and exploring her culture as a child of Vietnamese immigrants. Kim also makes and sells art prints, pins, and t-shirts online and at occasional pop-up markets.
(click to see Kim's art)
“Lunar New Year means that long winter nights are giving way to brighter, warmer days. My family enjoys celebrating the coming of spring in Taiwan by trekking up 陽明山 (Yang Ming Mountain) to see the cherry blossoms!”
Meet the Artist
Julia Kuo (she/her)
Julia Kuo is the author and illustrator of Let’s Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night. She has also illustrated several picture books, including I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne and I Am An American: The Wong Kim Ark Story by Martha Brockenbrough and Grace Lin. Julia has created editorial illustrations for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Vox Media. She currently lives in Seattle, WA.
“Lunar New Year means that long winter nights are giving way to brighter, warmer days. My family enjoys celebrating the coming of spring in Taiwan by trekking up 陽明山 (Yang Ming Mountain) to see the cherry blossoms!”
Meet the Artist
Julia Kuo (she/her)
Julia Kuo is the author and illustrator of Let’s Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night. She has also illustrated several picture books, including I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne and I Am An American: The Wong Kim Ark Story by Martha Brockenbrough and Grace Lin. Julia has created editorial illustrations for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Vox Media. She currently lives in Seattle, WA.
Meet the Artist
Deb JJ Lee (they/them)
Deb JJ Lee is a Korean-American illustrator and graphic novelist based in Brooklyn, NY. They have a penchant for making sense of clutter and bold color palettes into lush compositions. Their first graphic novel titled IN LIMBO, a memoir that explores the intersection of mental illness and diaspora, publishes in March 2023 with First Second Books.
One of my favorite parts about planning an illustration is figuring out how to balance detail and clutter into a composition that feels new and unique, or at least intentional. I also love twisting from an expected color palette to an unexpected one. As one learning about their culture, I am redefining my own Lunar New Year traditions with the love and sweetness from my chosen family.
Meet the Artist
Kim Thái Nguyễn (she/her)
Kim Thái Nguyễn is an artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her illustrations usually involve characters, delicate lines, and vivid colors. Common themes in her work include food, pop culture, and exploring her culture as a child of Vietnamese immigrants. Kim also makes and sells art prints, pins, and t-shirts online and at occasional pop-up markets.
“While it's the Year of the Rabbit in other cultures, in Vietnamese culture it's the Year of the Cat! So I drew them both sharing fruit and surrounded by paper lanterns—colorful decorations I love to see around Tết (Lunar New Year)!”
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