I went to the Cooper Hewitt on Saturday because it was free (Thanks Target for sponsoring). Unfortunately, I wasn't as impressed with the exhibition (Design USA) as I was 2 years ago (Design Life Now). It wasn't as comprehensive, and they didn't feature anyone new. Also, I felt like most of the work that was exhibited, I've seen before (e.g. IDEO, Google, etc.), and that maybe they were selected because they were "donors." Maybe the participatory aspect produced the very pedestrian results (I hope not).

I thought it was interesting because they offered the ipod touch tour. It is free, and you exchange your ID card with an iPod touch. You can view a slide show, listen to the designers talk about their work and process, watch videos and comment on each piece. I thought it was organized digitally, but I wasn't engaged. I was more interested in the items displayed in the store. If you do go, I highly recommend the Eva Ziesel video. She is definitely a master. Massimo Vignelli NYC subway map and Milton Glaser Bob Dylan poster are design classics.

I did like the Design for a Living World exhibit. I thought the photographs printed on aluminum was unique, and the lighting on that medium made the images look dynamic. Some of the tiled photos made an interesting collage.