Although museums have been around for centuries, there weren’t many focused entirely on design. But luckily for us, times have changed. For design lovers, starting at the end of the 21st century, institutions have begun to specifically focus on design. And although many museums are dedicated to the industry, there are some that stand above the rest. As such, we’ve put together this list of 10 fantastic design museums to add to your must-visit list.
The Design Museum
Founded as an independent institution in 1989 by designer and restaurateur Terence Conran, the Design Museum in London has positioned itself as the world’s leading museum of 20th- and 21st- century design, architecture, and fashion. The museum was first housed in a converted 1940s banana warehouse, but in 2016 it moved into the vacant Commonwealth Institute building where it currently resides.
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Located a few steps from Central Park, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is one of the most important museums in the United States dedicated to the history of design. Plus, it’s the only museum in the country dedicated exclusively to modern and historical design. Founded by the Hewitt sisters, a pair of American art advocates, as the Cooper Union Museum for the Decorative Arts, it currently has an impressive permanent collection of over 200,000 objects spanning more than 30 centuries of history.
Vitra Design Museum
Inaugurated by Rolf Fehlbaum, chairman emeritus at Vitra and member of the board, the Vitra Design Museum opened its doors in 1989, originally intended as a home for Fehlbaum’s private collection. Over time this space expanded to house retrospectives of important architects and designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles and Ray Eames. The spectacular museum building was designed by Frank Gehry, and it is located in the German town of Weil am Rhein, near Basel.
Red Dot Design Museum
The Red Dot Design Museum Singapore is one of three museums within the Red Dot design organization, which is responsible for the Red Dot Design award. This museum also happens to be the largest design museum in Asia, making a splash in a region where this scene is just beginning to blossom. The Red Dot Design Museum Singapore focuses on product and communications design, and each of the more than thousand pieces in its collection has received the coveted Red Dot Design Award.
Mexican Museum of Design
The Mexican Museum of Design, or MUMEDI for short, debuted in early 2002 with a twofold aim: to promote graphic and industrial design in the country, and inspire greater interest in Mexican design, both historical and contemporary, from the rest of the world. The museum’s current building is the former home of Mexican nobility, Count of Our Lady of Guadalupe del Peñasco, Don Francisco Mora y Luna and his wife, Countess Ildefonsa Pérez Calderón.
Victoria & Albert Museum
Established as the Museum of Manufactures in 1852, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) was renamed after Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone of the current building in 1899. This museum features over 5,000 years of art and design objects from around the world, like ancient Egyptian textiles, Eames furniture, and even Alexander McQueen dresses. Thanks to its varied collection, this is one of the most visited design museums in the world.
Design Museum Denmark
Located in the capital of design, Copenhagen, Design Museum Denmark is an institution you don’t want to miss. The museum promotes Danish and international design and craftsmanship, and it was founded in 1890 to inspire both designers and consumers to create and seek higher quality products. Currently this museum houses the largest library in Scandinavia dedicated to design.
Triennale Milano
Opened in 1923, La Triennale is an international institution that organizes exhibitions and conferences on art, design, architecture, fashion, and cinema. This museum is located in the Parco Sempione in Milan, and it is one of the most beautiful establishments in the area.
The Bauhaus-Archiv
The Bauhaus School was one of the most influential design schools of the 20th century, and this special archive—founded in 1960—displays art pieces and documents that relate to the institution and its members. Here you can find a wide variety of works that were produced by students.