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Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef and Arpels Tuesday, February 1, 2011 “Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels” examines the renowned jewelry firm’s significant historical contributions to jewelry design and design innovation, particularly during the 20th century. Organized by Sarah Coffin, curator and head of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department, the exhibition opens Feb. 18 and will run through July 4, 2011.
Designing Media, a New Book by Bill Moggridge, Explores New and Traditional Media Tuesday, December 7, 2010 Designing Media, written by the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt Director Bill Moggridge and published by MIT Press Nov. 29, examines connections between old and new media. In his book, Moggridge describes the changing media landscape and the growth of new patterns of media consumption. The long-dominant forms—television, radio, newspapers, magazines and books—have had to respond to emergent digital media. Newspapers have interactive websites, television broadcasts over the Internet and books are published in both electronic and print editions.
Bill Moggridge, Designer of the First Laptop and Cooper-Hewitt Director, Wins Britain's 2010 Prince Philip Designers Prize Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Bill Moggridge, director of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, was awarded the 2010 Prince Philip Designers Prize Tuesday, Nov. 9. The U.K.’s most prestigious design prize is awarded annually to recognize a lifetime contribution to design. As one of the pioneering designers of the 20th century, the jury, chaired by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, determined that Moggridge has been central to how design helps people understand and use technology. “I am astonished to have been chosen when my fellow short-listed candidates have achieved such amazing work,” said Moggridge.
The Shop at Cooper-Hewitt Launches New Location in Grand Central Terminal for the Holiday Season Thursday, November 4, 2010 The Shop at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum opens today in its first off-site retail location—the Graybar Passage of Grand Central Terminal. The kiosk, open from Nov. 4 through Jan. 31, 2011, will offer a selection of 25 design works from the museum’s renowned shop, including decorative objects, jewelry, toys and office accessories, and will be outfitted with USM Modular Furniture’s Haller system in orange, a color available for the first time in three decades. Cooper- Hewitt chose the USM Haller system—a 1963 design classic, which is created from a few basic elements that can be expanded or reconfigured as needed—to outfit its museum shop and now the kiosk.
The Braille Alphabet Bracelet Wins the 2010 People’s Design Award Friday, October 15, 2010 The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum presented its fifth People’s Design Award to the Braille Alphabet Bracelet Thursday, Oct. 14, at its 11th annual National Design Awards gala in New York. White House Deputy Social Secretary Ebs Burnough and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley announced the winning design and presented the award to Leslie Ligon, designer of At First Sight Braille Jewelry.
Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and GE Present "Why Design Now? Solving Global Challenges" Conference Thursday, September 23, 2010 Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and GE will present the “Why Design Now? Solving Global Challenges” conference Friday, Oct. 1, to explore the role of design in solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Held in conjunction with the museum’s “National Design Triennial: Why Design Now?” exhibition, the conference brings together diverse thought leaders, scientists and designers to share their expertise on how design can accelerate innovation and improve efficiency and scalability of solutions to address urgent global needs.
David Rockwell Joins Cooper-Hewitt's Board of Trustees Wednesday, September 8, 2010 The Smithsonian Institution’s board of regents appointed David Rockwell to the board of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum on June 21.
Recent Acquisitions: Digital Typography Collection Wednesday, September 1, 2010 “Recent Acquisitions: Digital Typography,” an installation highlighting five graphic works exploring post-modernist trends in typography, will be on view from Sept. 3 through fall 2010 at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Organized by Gail Davidson, curator and head of the Drawings, Prints and Graphic Design department, the installation includes expressive typographic work developed by graphic designers as a response to modernism’s rigid and impersonal sans serif type.
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Awarded $800,000 Challenge Grant by The Kresge Foundation Thursday, August 5, 2010 Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum has been awarded an $800,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation for its RE:DESIGN renovation project. To date, $51 million, or 94 percent, of the $54 million renovation goal has been raised. The Kresge Foundation grant requires Cooper-Hewitt to raise the remaining $3 million renovation funds by Sept. 30, 2011.
First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates the National Design Awards with White House Ceremony and Luncheon Wednesday, July 14, 2010 The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum today announced First Lady Michelle Obama will celebrate the 2010 National Design Awards Wednesday, July 21, with a White House ceremony for the winners and finalists of the awards. In support of the First Lady’s emphasis on arts education, prior to the luncheon, the award winners will participate in an education program for high school students in Washington, D.C. First Lady Michelle Obama serves as the honorary patron for this year’s National Design Awards.

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