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Design Blog Design Blog » National Design Awards » Slideshow: Celebrating Design at the White House

Slideshow: Celebrating Design at the White House

Celebrating Design at the White House On Monday, July 14, Mrs. Laura Bush hosted the winners and finalists of the 2008 National Design Awards at a brunch reception at the White House. For members of the Museum’s staff, this event is one of the most anticipated and enjoyable experiences of the year, giving us a chance to personally meet and congratulate the amazing designers who are honored that day.

The highlight of the event is a presentation by the current First Lady. Mrs. Bush is beautiful, poised, and articulate. She’s also funny, telling us how in 1776, the Continental Congress asked Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson to create a new national seal; that process was design-by-committee in the worst way, taking six years to complete. Today, Mrs. Bush explained, the White House knows to hire a design professional to do design work.

And design professionals were there that day in abundance—some of the best in the world, from Lifetime Achievement winner Charles Harrison, who designed products in-house at Sears for over thirty years, to all six principals of Olin Partnership, winner in the Landscape Design category. These great designers will be honored again at a gala dinner at Cooper-Hewitt on October 23, 2008.

About the Author: Ellen Lupton is Curator of Contemporary Design at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.

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Comments

  1. One look at the group photo and one knows why the one word to describe today’s design is common. These designers were invited to the nation’s house and just look and what they are wearing. No respect and very little syle or chic.I think as a counrty the design community should set a tone, not look like everyman in the street.

    Michael West | Aug 15, 03:33 PM

  2. It’s unfair to judge these designers by their clothing. And no respect? I think everyone looks perfectly presentable.

    Vilma | Aug 18, 11:59 AM

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