Cooper Hewitt

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Give Me A Sign

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An exhibition considering the ubiquitous presence of symbols in our everyday lives, through the lens of Henry Dreyfuss’ Symbol Sourcebook.
Project
Give Me A Sign
Location
New York, New York
Year
2023
Team
Principal: Kristine Matthews
Project Lead: Marta Bernstein
Designers: Jessica Cooper, Eli Kahn
Project Manager: Meg Graham
Partners
Curator: Emily Orr
Photography
Elliot Goldstein © Smithsonian Institution, Eli Kahn
Categories
Exhibition

On view at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, “Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols” is an exhibition that delves into the profound impact of the 1972 Symbol Sourcebook by Henry Dreyfuss, an industrial designer. The Sourcebook compiles a universally-recognized collection of symbols by means of crowdsourcing.

In response to the nature of Cooper Hewitt’s historic Carnegie Mansion, as well as a nod to the gridded structure of the Symbol Sourcebook, a freestanding modular framework was employed for organizing content as well as providing a welcome contrast against the ornate walls.

While learning the history of the Symbol Sourcebook, visitors are encouraged to consider where symbols are encountered in everyday life, view the different forms symbol sets can take, learn what goes into the making of a recognizable symbol and produce their own intended for a contemporary Symbol Sourcebook of 2024.

The exhibition will run May 13, 2023, to September 2, 2024.

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