Program Schedule

The annual National Design Awards honor the year’s most outstanding contributions from the design world. The 2008 National Design Award finalists and Award recipients will be announced on May 8, 2008, followed by a panel discussion on May 13, 2008 with this year’s Awards jurors, a diverse group of leading figures in the design field.

2008 National Design Awards Jury Panel

MAY 13, 2008
Jurors of the 2008 National Design Awards discuss the current state of design in America and the selection process for this year’s winners and finalists. Moderated by Caroline Payson, Cooper-Hewitt’s director of education, the panel brings together members of this year’s distinguished jury. The panel will be broadcast live on Cooper-Hewitt’s Web site.

People’s Design Award

SEPTEMBER 22–OCTOBER 21, 2008
The People’s Design Award gives the general public an opportunity to nominate and vote for a design of their choice by logging on to cooperhewitt.org. Voting begins September 22, 2008, and the winning design will be announced on October 23, 2008, at the National Design Awards gala in New York City.

National Design Week

OCTOBER 19–25, 2008
Launched in 2006, National Design Week is an education initiative offering free admission for all museum visitors and hosting a series of public programs surrounding the National Design Awards.

Teen Design Fair

OCTOBER 20, 2008
New York City area teens are invited to the museum to learn about design careers from professional designers and design colleges.

2008 National Design Awards Winners’ Panel

OCTOBER 21, 2008
National Design Award winners participate in a panel discussion about the state of contemporary design in America.

The Business of Design

OCTOBER 22, 2008
Business leaders discuss how design impacts their overall strategy and affects their bottom line.

National Design Awards Gala

OCTOBER 23, 2008
Cooper-Hewitt celebrates the 2008 National Design Awards with its annual Awards ceremony and dinner held in the Museum’s Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden.

Educator Open House

OCTOBER 24, 2008
Educators are invited to celebrate National Design Week by learning about Cooper-Hewitt’s many education programs. The museum’s staff will share information about online resources, tours, youth programs and professional development opportunities.