Design

For the Design Museum, design is a continually evolving subject which it explores through its exhibitions programme, publishing, permanent collection, learning and research activities.

Design is a way to understand the world and how you can change it.

Designs of the Year

The museum's annual Designs of the Year awards are a great snapshot of creative innovation from across the world.

Design Museum Publishing

Established in 2015, Design Museum Publishing makes innovative books encompassing all elements of design, including architecture, fashion, product and graphic design.

Anglepoise

One of the most successful examples of amateur British invention,

Arts and Crafts Movement

A reaction against the industrialised society that had boomed in Britain in the Victorian period.

Concorde

The world’s first supersonic commercial passenger aircraft.

London Transport

A progressive public transport system, London Transport is home to many of the most familiar design icons of Britain.

Memphis

A Milan-based collective of young furniture and product designers led by the veteran Ettore Sottsass.

Penguin Books

A pioneer of high quality paperbacks, Penguin adopted an equally progressive approach to book design.

Chairs - late 1800s

Chairs - early 1900s

Chairs - 1920s

Chairs - 1930s

Chairs - 1940s

Chairs - 1950s

Chairs - 1960s

Chairs - 1970s

Chairs - 1980s

Chairs - 1990s

Chairs - 2000s

more design coming soon

Welcome!

What better way to start the story of design than with chairs. Further chapters will be added that reflect the museum's programme of research, learning and exhibitions. Please note the design featured in this section is online content only and currently not on display at the Design Museum.

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The Design Museum needs you! The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown has been hard on an independent charity relying heavily on support from its visitors. If you can, please donate, become a member or a patron - working together to inspire a new generation of designers and make the impact of design visible to all.