Design Museum of Chicago

Design Museum of Chicago We define design broadly and recognize it surrounds us, influencing our lives in large and small ways
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Wilburn Bonnell, 1977Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 057/102: Wilburn Bonnell, 1977 In 1...
11/03/2023

Wilburn Bonnell, 1977

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 057/102: Wilburn Bonnell, 1977

In 1977, midwest native Wilburn Bonnell produced a multitude of prints, works, & promotional items through the Container Corporation of America.

Bonnell’s artwork has been exhibited at the Whitney Museum in New York, the Pan American Biennial in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and an array of Chicago institutions.

Born in southern Illinois, Bonnell moved to Chicago in the late 1960’s to study industrial design at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1970. In the decade that followed, he began producing graphic design work, while also teaching at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Photo credit: Chicago Design Archive

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

Thanks  for keeping our annual gala hydrated 💧[Tickets are available via link in bio]
10/09/2023

Thanks for keeping our annual gala hydrated 💧

[Tickets are available via link in bio]

Join and celebrate our annual gala “Design Together “on the 11th 🎉Tickets available via link in bio, see you there! 🥂   ...
10/09/2023

Join and celebrate our annual gala “Design Together “on the 11th 🎉

Tickets available via link in bio, see you there! 🥂

We are so excited to announce our annual gala: Design Together Galavant 2023 🎉Mark your calendar for October 11th.6-8:30...
10/08/2023

We are so excited to announce our annual gala: Design Together Galavant 2023 🎉

Mark your calendar for October 11th.6-8:30PM at the extraordinary (3020 W. Carrol Ave.)

Tickets are available via link in bio 🎊

Sending a massive thanks to our incredible sponsors!     .flowers   Your support is making our gala a night to remember ...
10/07/2023

Sending a massive thanks to our incredible sponsors!

.flowers

Your support is making our gala a night to remember ! 🥂

Gala tickets are available through our link in bio.

Dive into the creative extravaganza at our annual Gala: Design Together Galavant 2023! Mark your calendar for October 11...
10/04/2023

Dive into the creative extravaganza at our annual Gala: Design Together Galavant 2023!

Mark your calendar for October 11th, 6:00 - 8:30 Pm at the extraordinary 3020 W Carroll Ave - drinks, scrumptious bites, infections tunes, and more await!

Don’t forgot to get your tickets through the link in our profile.🥂

Let's make memories as vibrant as our community! 🎉

Water Tower Place, 1976 Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 056/102: Water Tower Place, 1976...
10/02/2023

Water Tower Place, 1976

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 056/102: Water Tower Place, 1976

When Water Tower Place arrived on the Magnificent Mile in 1976, the shopping scene in Chicago’s downtown was struggling. However upon opening, the $150 million project was fully leased. It aimed to be a shopping center impervious to weather, but with a cosmopolitan elegance. While ascending in the structures glass elevator, spectators get the impression that they had gone up in the world, & Water Tower Place became one of Chicagoland’s favorite shopping destinations.

Photo credit: C. William Brubaker, UIC Library

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

Saint Mary of NazarethHospital, 1975Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 055/102: Saint Mary ...
09/27/2023

Saint Mary of Nazareth
Hospital, 1975

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 055/102: Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital, 1975

Completed in 1975, the 16-story Brutalist structure features rounded vertical bays and oversized curving air intakes that give it a futuristic sci-fi vibe. Unlike Bertrand Goldberg's demolished Prentice Women's Hospital, the Perkins + Will-designed St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital still stands at the border of Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village.

Photo credit: Chicago Design Archive, Chicago Modern Wordpress, Unknown

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

Federal Center, 1974 Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 054/102: Chicago Federal Center, 19...
09/12/2023

Federal Center, 1974

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 054/102: Chicago Federal Center, 1974

The Chicago Federal Center was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, reaching completion in 1974. The structure actually consists of three buildings which are arranged around and define the Chicago Federal Plaza. On the eastern side of South Dearborn Street sits the 30-story Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. On the western side, the 42-story John C. Kluczynski Federal Building and the single story Post Office define the plaza.

Photo credit: Chicago Design Archive, U.S General Services Administration,

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

A week from today! 🧘🏽
09/12/2023

A week from today! 🧘🏽

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!☀️Community is everything.Check out the awesome work from our partner  booth...
09/07/2023

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!☀️
Community is everything.

Check out the awesome work from our partner booth curated by Martha Wade And a family paint led by James Nelson

Meet them on Saturday and learn all about the incredible work they do. [link in bio]

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!🌈Community is everything.Check out the awesome work from our  partner  Meet ...
09/06/2023

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!🌈

Community is everything.

Check out the awesome work from our partner
Meet them on Saturday and learn all about the incredible work they do. [link in bio]🌸🎉

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!☀️Community is everything.Check out the awesome work from our  partner  Meet...
09/06/2023

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!☀️

Community is everything.

Check out the awesome work from our partner
Meet them on Saturday and learn all about the incredible work they do. [link in bio]🚲🚴‍♀️

Join us this Saturday for Field Day at  ! Enjoy live music and family-friendly fun with your loved ones.🏙🎶Shoutout to th...
09/06/2023

Join us this Saturday for Field Day at ! Enjoy live music and family-friendly fun with your loved ones.🏙🎶

Shoutout to the DJs .miller .band they'll be spinning with us on Saturday from 12-3!

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!☀️Community is everything.Check out the awesome work from our partner  Meet ...
09/06/2023

We're excited about Field Day this Saturday!☀️
Community is everything.

Check out the awesome work from our partner

Meet them on Saturday and learn all about the incredible work they do. [link in bio]

Sears Tower, 1973Formerly known as the Sears Tower, Willis Tower has been an iconic part of the Chicago skyline since 19...
09/05/2023

Sears Tower, 1973

Formerly known as the Sears Tower, Willis Tower has been an iconic part of the Chicago skyline since 1973. With the efforts of over 2000 workers, it was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion. At 110 stories high, the Willis Tower is still one of the largest skyscrapers in the world.

Photo credit: Chicago Design Archive, Willis Tower

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

Hey everyone! 🪁 Join us for some kite-flying fun at Field Day.Saturday September 9th  . No worries if you don't have a k...
08/30/2023

Hey everyone! 🪁 Join us for some kite-flying fun at Field Day.Saturday September 9th . No worries if you don't have a kite – kites will be available for purchase on site. Let's make the sky our canvas! 🌤️

We're excited to announce, Field Day at  ! [link in bio]An eco-friendly, sustainability-focused, family-friendly design ...
08/24/2023

We're excited to announce, Field Day at ! [link in bio]
An eco-friendly, sustainability-focused, family-friendly design event.

It'll be face-painting, bubble-blowing, kite-flying, edu-tainment filled day.

Check out this incredible list of partners, vendors and community groups that will be joining us:






lotus




Greensfelder Hemker & Gale PC

Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if you're interested in sponsoring!
Thanks to our flag partner, Prideflags.com

We're excited to announce, Field Day at  ! [link in bio]An eco-friendly, sustainability-focused, family-friendly design ...
08/23/2023

We're excited to announce, Field Day at ! [link in bio]
An eco-friendly, sustainability-focused, family-friendly design event.

It'll be face-painting, bubble-blowing, kite-flying, edu-tainment filled day.

Check out this amazing list of designers and artists that will be joining us on field day and who will have a featured flag:







m3dina










coleman




Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if you're interested in sponsoring!
Thanks to our flag partner, Prideflags.com

Have a nice Sunday, Chicago 🫂
08/20/2023

Have a nice Sunday, Chicago 🫂

Want to show your support? Check out our new merch collection, all designed by interns! To grab some of these gems, head...
08/03/2023

Want to show your support? Check out our new merch collection, all designed by interns!

To grab some of these gems, head to our website shop, click ‘shop’, and hit our intern collection!

Join us Wednesday, August 16th at 6pm for the next Community-Led Design Followed panel discussing the fight for food jus...
08/01/2023

Join us Wednesday, August 16th at 6pm for the next Community-Led Design Followed panel discussing the fight for food justice with

In this conversation our focus will center on how those who grow our food are designing pathways towards food sovereignty, the barriers communities are facing when feeding themselves, and how conventional designers and the food practitioners can work together to expand food sovereignty and shift narratives around who are and are not recognized as designers.

Head to link in bio for more

Join us and Colossal for a volunteer day at Happy Returns Studio, home of Redemptive Plastiics (who’s work is featured i...
07/27/2023

Join us and Colossal for a volunteer day at Happy Returns Studio, home of Redemptive Plastiics (who’s work is featured in At the Precipice) September 16th 11am-2pm.

During this 4-hour session, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the teams innovative recycling process and lend a hand in recycling household waste.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot at the link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/at-the-precipice-volunteer-session-at-happy-returns-studio-tickets-680414466987?aff=oddtdtcreator

TONIGHT! Come to the museum to hear artist Petra Bachmaier of Luftwerk () speak to their work in At the Precipice as wel...
07/25/2023

TONIGHT!

Come to the museum to hear artist Petra Bachmaier of Luftwerk () speak to their work in At the Precipice as well as Bill Schleizer of Delta Institute ( ) and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization () as we discuss the responsibility of Design/Designers to address climate and social issues tonight, 6pm.

Thanks as always to our series sponsors

RSVP free and find more information at link in bio

The Design Museum of Chicago and Corepower are partnering on a fundraising series that brings Yoga Flows to Art + Design...
07/25/2023

The Design Museum of Chicago and Corepower are partnering on a fundraising series that brings Yoga Flows to Art + Design spaces in Chicago.

For this session, we're headed over to our favorite co-working space + d.i.y. social club, Guild Row. (A space for people that Give a Damn.) (Guild Row)

You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at their space, workshops, and designs.

Details:

6:00pm - arrive + settle in

6:15pm - yoga session starts

7:15pm - tour + hang

*Bring your own mat + water.

*Limited street parking is available.

Grab a ticket here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yoga-by-design-at-guild-row-tickets-675599104107?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thanks Color Swell for supporting the Design Museum and donating supplies– your support makes our lives even more colorf...
07/21/2023

Thanks Color Swell for supporting the Design Museum and donating supplies– your support makes our lives even more colorful. If you're interested in supporting us, drop us a line.

Kenmore Sewing Machine, 1970Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 050/102: Kenmore Sewing Mach...
07/21/2023

Kenmore Sewing Machine, 1970

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 050/102: Kenmore Sewing Machine, 1970


The 3/4 line sewing machine series changed the game for American households. Designed by industrial designer Charles Harrison in 1970, the new sewing machines were lighter and more compact than previous versions. He achieved this by using die-cast aluminum rather than sand-casted molded heavy metals. Harrison was an exceptional industrial designer from Chicago who rethought hundreds of ordinary items. He designed across multiple consumer product categories and was responsible for more than 750 products. These products range from the first non metal wheeled trash bin, the viewfinder, sewing machines, and other useful home appliances.

Photo credit: Chicago Design Archive, A Life’s Design

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

Did you miss our opening? Come hear artist Petra Bachmaier of Luftwerk (Petra Bachmaier Luftwerk) speak to their work in...
07/20/2023

Did you miss our opening? Come hear artist Petra Bachmaier of Luftwerk (Petra Bachmaier Luftwerk) speak to their work in At the Precipice as well as Bill Schleizer of Delta Institute (Bill Schleizer Delta Institute) and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)) as we discuss the responsibility of Design/Designers to address climate and social issues on Tuesday, July 25th, 6pm.

Thanks as always to our series sponsors Ujamaa Construction, Inc.

RSVP and find more information here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-led-design-followed-responsibility-of-design-for-the-future-tickets-660732026277?aff=oddtdtcreator

In case you missed it! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the opening of At the Precipice Friday night, and th...
07/18/2023

In case you missed it! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the opening of At the Precipice Friday night, and thanks to Colossal for curating and making this show possible.

At the Precipice will be up in our main gallery until October 30th.

One IBM Plaza, 1969Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 049/102: One IBM Plaza, 1969IBM Plaza...
07/17/2023

One IBM Plaza, 1969

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 049/102: One IBM Plaza, 1969

IBM Plaza is a skyscraper in downtown Chicago, designed by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In 1969, IBM hired designer Robert Vogele to construct a marketing plan for leasing their new (and struggling) building at One IBM Plaza. Instead, Vogele presented a business plan, a risky proposal suggesting that IBM cover design and furnishing costs for tenants, which paid off tenfold and resulted in a lasting partnership.

Photo Credits: Chicago Design Archive

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

We're so excited to celebrate the opening of Beyond Blue, curated by DMoC auxiliary board member Justin Dwuan Redding, o...
07/13/2023

We're so excited to celebrate the opening of Beyond Blue, curated by DMoC auxiliary board member Justin Dwuan Redding, on July 25th from 7-10pm at Compound Yellow.

Beyond Blue features art by Alexandria Eregbu and Amanda Christine Harth, using the indigo pigment as a means of remembrance and understanding, unearthing connections between this pigment, the slave trade in America, and its enduring impact on bloodlines.

For more information, check out the Eventbrite linked below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-blue-unveiling-the-hidden-narratives-of-indigo-opening-reception-tickets-670509922227?aff=oddtdtcreator

Once again, were looking back on our Community Led, Design Followed speaker series so far and thanking our series sponso...
07/12/2023

Once again, were looking back on our Community Led, Design Followed speaker series so far and thanking our series sponsors Ujamaa Construction for helping support our mission!

Pictured here was Chicago Architecture Club’s Emerging Visions Competition 2023 winner Abigail Chang. Thanks for this great event and stay tuned for more to come!

MCA Chicago, 1967 Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History 🪅Today is 047/102, MCA Chicago, 1967The Museum o...
07/03/2023

MCA Chicago, 1967

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History 🪅Today is 047/102, MCA Chicago, 1967

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the world's foremost contemporary art museums. The museum began as an idea at a 1964 meeting of 30 critics, collectors, and dealers who shared the collective intent of bringing a new art museum to the city. In 1967, MCA Chicago opened its doors. Since then, it has grown exponentially and now has a collection of 2,500 works of art that date from the 1920s to today.

Photo Credit:

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio!

We had an awesome time at NeoCon at  earlier this month. So proud of our Designing a Better Chicago grantees  and  and e...
06/29/2023

We had an awesome time at NeoCon at earlier this month. So proud of our Designing a Better Chicago grantees and and excited to support their work.

Thanks  for keeping DMoC hydrated 😎💧Makes tackling the hard stuff a little easier
06/28/2023

Thanks for keeping DMoC hydrated 😎💧Makes tackling the hard stuff a little easier

Reflecting back on our Community Led, Design Followed speaker series and thanking our event sponsor  for helping put on ...
06/28/2023

Reflecting back on our Community Led, Design Followed speaker series and thanking our event sponsor for helping put on our Design for a Circular Economy panel with ! Thanks for this wonderful event.

John Massey, 1966Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 046/102: John Massey, 1966In early 1966...
06/27/2023

John Massey, 1966

Welcome back to 102 Moments in Chicago Design History. Today is 046/102: John Massey, 1966

In early 1966 the Container Corporation of America (CCA) commissioned John Massey to create posters as part of the Chicago Cultural Communication Project.
Its aim was "to provide the city of Chicago with a consistent series of brilliant and unusual posters calling attention to the many cultural and recreational facilities available to its population."

Photo Credits: Art Institute of Chicago

Visit our website to donate or learn more & support Chicago’s continuous design history, link in bio.

We’re getting ready for our upcoming exhibition, At the Precipice: Reactions to the Climate Crisis opening July 14th and...
06/22/2023

We’re getting ready for our upcoming exhibition, At the Precipice: Reactions to the Climate Crisis opening July 14th and running through October 30th.

RSVP to join us for the opening, July 14th 6-9pm, for a first look and reflections with staff and curators via link in bio!

This show is curated by

TONIGHT!! Come catch Patterns : Comedy x Design TONIGHT at Guild Row () from 8-9pm! Doors at 7:30. Grab a ticket linked ...
06/22/2023

TONIGHT!!

Come catch Patterns : Comedy x Design TONIGHT at Guild Row () from 8-9pm! Doors at 7:30. Grab a ticket linked in bio to help support the ongoing mission of DMoC and enjoy an amazing night with some extremely talented Chicago comedic performers!

Address

72 E Randolph Street
Chicago, IL
60601

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

(312) 894-6263

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Chicago is home to many inspiring museums, and today—on —we're giving a special shout-out to our peer institutions in the Chicago Association of Specialized Museums! CASM is a coalition of small, quirky institutions that encourage and help Chicagoans and tourists alike to . From art and design to literature and poetry to behavioral and surgical science, member institutions of CASM offer plenty of niches to discover and explore.

From our galleries to yours, happy to you, American Writers Museum, Design Museum of Chicago, International Museum of Surgical Science, McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, Mindworks, Museum of Broadcast Communications, Museum of Contemporary Photography and Poetry Foundation!



Image: Installation photograph by Cheri Eisenberg of the exhibition "The Life and Death of Charles Williams" at Intuit
Designing a Better Chicago shines a light on our city’s extraordinary design legacy—the local talent, assets, and community that have long supported civic good through design. Join the 2020 grant winners (Kathy Gregg, Friedman Place and Maya Bird-Murphy, Mobile Makers Chicago) the 2021 grant winners (Tariyawn Knighten, The Tilden Pilot to Permanent Design Incubator and Emily Winter, The Weaving Mill), and the 2022 winners (to be awarded) to hear about their outstanding efforts to design a better Chicago. The panel will take place Wednesday, June 15, moderated by Tanner Woodford, Founder and Executive Director of the Design Museum of Chicago.
TODAY 4/1 (4p - 7p): Another VaxChiArt Exhibition is opening at Rowan Park Field House, supporting local artists and promoting vaccination in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Design Museum of Chicago.

The opening event today is free and open to the public. If you can’t make the opening event, the exhibition will be up for one month.

See all the art and other upcoming events on Chicago.gov/VaxChiArt.
The opening of the VaxChiArt 2.0 Exhibition here on the KKC Campus in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Design Museum of Chicago was amazing! Thank you to local artists who contributed their collections to this exhibit. The work is phenomenal and encourages our community to check it out through the end of April. The exhibit is open to everyone!

Visit Chicago.gov/VaxChiArt, to see the artists and for more information.
Today 3/31 (3pm-6pm), the VaxChiArt Exhibition will open to the public here on the Kennedy-King College Campus in the new Center of Equity for the Creative Arts (CECA) in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events,
Chicago Department of Public Health, & the Design Museum of Chicago.

Students, faculty, and staff, come ready to enjoy free food, fun, music, and a surprise special guest in the KKC U-Building Black Box. Face masks are required.

See the art and other upcoming events on http://Chicago.gov/VaxChiArt.
The City of Chicago, in collaboration with the Design Museum of Chicago, commissioned local artists to create original designs depicting health, vitality, community and vaccine distribution to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Click below for upcoming, related exhibitions opening this week!
TOMORROW (3/30): We'll be unveiling one of the murals in our VaxChiArt series! This is a collaboration with the Design Museum of Chicago, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and local artists.

Come one, come all for music, special guests, and see all the art on chicago.gov/vaxchiart.
Chicago Love
By Sentrock
Astrofat Milano
Design Museum of Chicago
(🎥 )
On Wednesday, March 30th, we will be unveiling one of the Murals in our VaxChiArt series! This is a collaboration with the Design Museum of Chicago, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and local artists.

Come one, come all for music, special guests, and see all the art on chicago.gov/vaxchiart.
You can breathe a little easier knowing you are protecting your health.

Check out this awesome piece by Czr Prz for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events' campaign in collaboration with Design Museum of Chicago.

Get vax'd and boosted. Resources are available: chi.gov/covidvax.
The vaccine helps us celebrate 🎊

Check out this awesome piece by CHema Skandal for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events' campaign in collaboration with Design Museum of Chicago.

Get vaccinated and boosted today. More resources are available at chi.gov/covidvax.
Protect each other 💙

Check out this awesome piece by Emmy Star Brown for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events' campaign in collaboration with the Design Museum of Chicago.

Get vaccinated and boosted today. More resources are available at chi.gov/covidvax.
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