Michael Bierut, this year’s winner of the Design Mind award, discusses the state of contemporary design with our National Design Awards winners: Tom Kundig, FAIA; Scott Stowell (OPEN); Ralph Rucci; Lucinda Sanders (OLIN); and Charles Harrison.

Pioneers of Change celebrates the blurring of low- and high brow, questioning the difference between the design world and the normal world. How can non-professionals play an intricate role in realizing creative projects? Moderator: Julie Iovine, Executive Editor Architects Newspaper Panelists: Jake Barton, Local Projects Pascale Gatzen, Painted Arne Hendriks, Platform 21 Scott Stowell, Open

On May 8 Cooper-Hewitt announced the winners and finalists of the ninth annual National Design Awards. Each year the Awards recognize excellence, innovation, and public impact across a variety of disciplines, including architecture, communication, fashion, interior, landscape, and product design. We invite you to share your feedback on this year’s winners and finalists. 2008 WINNERS...