Gail Davidson discusses Hugh Ferriss's process for crafting a 1920s skyscraper under strict zoning laws.

“The tops of mountains are among the unfinished parts of the globe, whither it is a slight insult to the gods to climb and pry into their secrets, and try their effect on our humanity. Only daring and insolent men, perchance, go there.”   – Henry David Thoreau, “The Maine Woods” Praised by his mentor Thomas...

From “eureka” to “uh-oh”, Design Is A Process. And designing the design museum has been quite a process in itself. The newly renovated Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum will open its doors on December 12th, 2014. The new museum experience will be like nothing you’ve ever seen, brought to you by an interdisciplinary team of...

See how tapestry weaving works in this short video. Nadia Yaron demonstrates three types of tapestry joins in her Brooklyn storefront studio, Nightwood. What differentiates tapestry weaving from plain weaving is that in a tapestry, the weaver changes weft threads at will as she weaves them across the piece. By doing this, she can create...

See how stone lithography works in this short video. Deborah Chaney, a professor at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, demonstrates this technique in the Pratt print shop. This print took about 4 hours total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly illustrates a wide variety of creative...

See how screen printing works in this short video. Master Printer Erik Hougen demonstrates how to screen print an image. He is working at the Lower East Side printshop in Manhattan, New York. The image being printed is a typewriter in the Cooper Hewitt collection. This print took about 2 hours total. About this series:...

See how paper is made by hand in this short video. Paper maker and educator Amy Jacobs demonstrates the basics of this technique at Dieu Donné papermill in Manhattan. This paper making project took about 3 hours of active work, plus about 48 hours of air-drying. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper...

See how offset lithography works in this short video. Kim Michalak shows how to print in four different colors on the offset proof press at Derriere L’etole studio in Manhattan, New York. This print took about 3 hours total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly illustrates a...

See how laser cutting works in this short video. Elizabeth Vilchis and Joe Borello demonstrate how to create a simple shape on the laser cutter. They are working at the Zahn Center in Manhattan, New York. This piece took about 1 hour to configure and cut. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper...

See how glassblowing works in this short video. Partner glassblowers Romina Gonzales and Edison Zapata demonstrate how to blow a simple drinking cup. They are working in the new studios at UrbanGlass, in Brooklyn. This project took about 1 hour total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly...

See how needle felting works in this short video. David Morgan from Etsy demonstrates how to make simple felt beads. This string of beads took about 45 minutes to make. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly illustrates a wide variety of creative techniques. Covering everything from glassblowing...

See how embroidery is made by hand in this short video. Nguyen Le of knitknit demonstrates the basics, including satin stitch, chain stitch and french knot technique. She also adds a backing fabric to the project as an extra optional step. This piece took about 3 hours total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a...

See how ceramics are made in this short video. Gil Grimmett shows how to create a basic project on the pottery wheel at Clayworks on Columbia in Brooklyn, New York. This piece took about 4 hours of active work, plus about 72 hours of air-drying and kiln-firing. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new...

See how bobbin lace is made in this short video. Ellyane Hutchinson demonstrates a basic lacemaking project at the Textile Arts Center’s Brooklyn facility. This lace making project took about 9 hours total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly illustrates a wide variety of creative techniques. Covering...

See how 3D printing works in this short video. The machine shown is a ProJet, which uses powdered resin and ink. This demonstration is courtesy of Joe Borrello at 3D Systems. This “part” took about 8 hours total to design and print. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that...