Cooper Hewitt — Give me a sign exhibition

An exhibition considering the ubiquitous presence of symbols in our everyday lives, through the lens of Henry Dreyfuss’ Symbol Sourcebook.

On view at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols examines the fascinating histories behind many of the symbols that instruct, protect, entertain, empower, and connect people. 

This exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of Henry Dreyfuss’s Symbol Sourcebook: An Authoritative Guide to International Graphic Symbols (1972) and celebrates its enduring legacy.

Awards
—365: AIGA Year in Design, 2024
—SEGD Global Design Merit Award, 2024

To complement the historic setting of the Carnegie Mansion—and echo the grid-based layout of the Sourcebook—a freestanding modular framework was designed as the main display element. This structure helped organize the exhibition content while providing a clean, contemporary counterpoint to the mansion’s ornate interiors.

Through a series of analog interactives and custom illustrations, visitors were invited to reflect on the role of symbols in their everyday life, examine different forms and shapes they can take, learn how symbols are created, and design their own contributions to a new Symbol Sourcebook for 2024.

SEGD Jury Comments:
“The restrained use of color, maker aesthetic, and playful moments create a visually appealing and engaging experience. The tactile approach allows visitors to stop and contemplate what could be an overlooked detail. I wish I had seen this in person!”

SEGD Jury Comments:
“This exhibition’s success lies in its ability to achieve a remarkable impact with minimal resources. Its simplistic yet effective modular system, coupled with engaging forms of interactivity and inventive concepts, culminate in a unique visitor experience.”