Signs of the Times: Context Is Everything
Sue Perks analyzes the various symbols that have stood for "poison" or "danger" and proves that in communication design context is everything.
A white, rounded-square ashtray featuring a red outline of a triangle with a black vertical line in it.
Signs of the Times: Neiman Marcus’s Symbol Merchandise
As part of a broad promotional push for the Symbol Sourcebook, Henry Dreyfuss worked with Neiman Marcus to produce a bold selection of merchandise related to symbols.
Page one of a handwritten timeline on yellow line paper with text written neatly in black with red underlining. Full transcript of the document at the bottom of the webpage.
Signs of the Times: Symbol Sourcebook Chronology
Paul Clifton, project manager of the Symbol Sourcebook, compiled a chronology documenting key moments in the development of the project.
Synthetic Material Identification in Dorothy Liebes Textile Samples
In preparation for the exhibition "A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes," textile conservators analyzed textile samples to better understand and care for the objects.
From the Collection: Queer Modernisms and Beyond
In observance of Pride month, Cooper Hewitt’s curatorial departments have selected a group of objects with LGBTQ+ stories to feature on the museum’s collection site. These objects are loosely connected by the theme of queer modernisms and are by LGBTQ+ designers.
Close-up view of the Pride flag, of many stripes and colors, hanging from the balcony of an ornate mansion with foliage covering it.
Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag at the Smithsonian
In 2023, Cooper Hewitt hung the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag on its south-facing facade. The installation celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month and demonstrates the evolution of inclusivity in the design of Pride flags.
Signs of the Times: Interview with Pam Holaday
Sue Perks interviews Pam Holaday, member of the Symbol Sourcebook team who drew the majority of the symbols.
Signs of the Times: How the Symbol Sourcebook Works
Sue Perks explains the structure of the Symbol Sourcebook, along with Henry Dreyfuss's thinking behind much of the book's content.
Black-and-white photograph of three people standing around a table. A man wearing horn-rimmed reads and points to a sheet of paper.
Signs of the Times: Producing the Symbol Sourcebook
Looking at archival correspondence, Sue Perks charts the wide-reaching, collaborative process Henry Dreyfuss and his team undertook to create the Symbol Sourcebook.