Celebrate National Design Week!
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/NDW-Logo_oct19.jpg){kind=logo}
It's a pleasure to see how good design—those objects we surround ourselves with that are both utilitarian and visually pleasing—are so widely accessible. You can walk into a Target and find home goods designed by a who's who of aesthetic gurus–like Michael Graves, Isaac Mizrahi and Todd Oldham—and not break the bank making your home a little more stylish.
Well kids, excellent design is in the air once again as the Cooper Hewitt kicks off National Design Week. From October 18-24, enjoy free admission to the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York (a savings of up to $10 per person). If you can't make it, check to see what design-oriented events are happening in your area. Here are events that will be happening in the DC area and Around the Mall this week:
Monday, October 19: Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight
Come enjoy a screening of the film "Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight"—a film about the graphic designer who gave us the famous "I <3 NY" logo—at the E Street Cinema. The screening will be followed by a talk with the director, Wendy Keys. See this site for additional information. E St Cinema,
Tuesday, October 20: Happy Hour at the Urbana Wine Bar & Restaurant
Come enjoy the sleek, modern decor of the Hotel Palomar as well as the company of your fellow design afficionados with this Design Week happy hour. See this site for additional information. Urbana Wine Bar and Restaurant, 6:30 PM
Thursday, October 22: Cady's Alley: Coverings House, Boffi Studio, L2 Lounge
Come check out what our DC community has to offer for our Night Out Series event. The AIGA DC Night Out series is an informal meet-up group designed to seek out events that will re-energize and stimulate the right side of your brain. This event is free, but reservations are required. See this site for additional information. Cady's Alley: Coverings House, Boffi Studio, L2 Lounge, 5:30 PM
Friday, October 23: AOL
Come learn about America Online's design strategies. This event is free, but registration is required. See this site for additional information. AOL Way, 12:00-1:30 PM.
If you aren't able to make any of these events, worry not—there are plenty more opportunities to celebrate National Design Week through special exhibitions at the National Building Museum. Please click the hyperlinks for each event for more information.
Storefront Churhes: Photographs by Camilo Jose Vergara, showing through November 29, 2009
Cityscapes Revealed: Highlights from the Collection showing through December 31, 2010
Washington: Symbol and City showing through December 31, 2010
House of Cars: Innovation and the Parking Garage showing through July 11, 2010
Building Tours of the National Building Museum will take place on October 24, 2009
Spotlight on Design: Léon Krier will be taking place at the National Building Museum on October 27, 2009
Also be sure to check out this Cooper Hewitt website to view a series of webcasts marking the 2009 Design Week celebration, including remarks from Michelle Obama.