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Prototype your glasses

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This book is made possible by public funds from the New York City
Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Copyright © 2020 by Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Published by Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

2 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128, USA

cooperhewitt.org

Printed in the United States of America

2 ISBN: 978-1-942303-27-5
Welcome
Design is all around us—from the clothing we wear
to the chair we sit in to the tools we use. In this book,
you’ll get hands-on experience in thinking like a
designer. Explore design solutions, relax with a coloring
page, and dream up your next big idea. Design on your
own or with friends and family—all are welcome!

Share your designs with us on social media! Tag @cooperhewitt and #SmithsonianEdu.
Ask a parent or guardian before posting.

DESIGN THINKING

DEFINE ► EMPATHIZE ► BRAINSTORM ► PROTOTYPE ► TEST ► LAUNCH!

Design thinking is a method used to solve problems. It allows the problem-solver

to explore many ideas, research solutions, make connections, empathize with
and relate to the end user, test ideas, and improve concepts. Let’s try it . . .

PROTOTYPE YOUR GLASSES

A prototype can be a quick model, a blueprint, or a diagram made by a designer. A
prototype doesn’t need to be perfect, but developed enough to test your ideas with
others. Designers often test hundreds of prototypes before launching a design!
Prototype your glasses by cutting out the template on the cover. Enjoy trying them
on and testing them out!
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 Eye-Catching Designs
Design a new way to see the world. First, sketch out some eyeglasses below, drawing
as many as you like. When designing, think about who might wear your glasses, what
they are used for, and where you might see them. Use the below examples of eyewear
as inspiration for what your eyeglasses might be.

01 02

01 02
based on Opera Glasses, ca. 1910; Manufactured by Lemaire (Paris, France); based on Eyeglasses (probably USA), 1820–50; Sheet silver, silver-plated metal,
Mother-of-pearl, aluminum, metal, optical glass; H × W × D: 14.3 × 13 × 6.2 cm optical glass; H × W × D: 12.7 × 4.2 × 1.3 cm (5 × 1 5/8 × ½ in.); Bequest of Sarah
(5 5/8 × 5 1/8 × 2  in.); Gift of Alan and Monah L. Gettner in loving memory of Cooper Hewitt, 1931-6-9-a,b
4 Minnie S. Hermann, 1999-54-2
Redesign It
Your friend is an artist who draws all day. Redesign a pencil that will be comfortable and
functional for them.

5
 Wearable Designs
EMPATHIZE
USER:
When designers empathize, they
think about how someone might
feel when using their designs. ACTIVITY:

The people who use designs are

called users. On this page, design
something for your user to wear
that will suit their needs.

TRY IT!
Choose one user and one
activity from the list below.
Think about something each
user might want to wear. For
example, a farmer who needs
to cool off might need a hat
with a special brim. Keep USER:

trying different combinations

of users and activities, and ACTIVITY:
see what designs you can
come up with!

USERS:
an older person
a child
a superhero USER:
a farmer
a person who can’t hear
a cat lover ACTIVITY:
a cook
. . . other

ACTIVITIES:
get to work
tend a garden
travel quickly USER:
stay warm
cool off
carry groceries ACTIVITY:
collect energy
shield from harm
6 . . . other
USER:

ACTIVITY:

USER:

ACTIVITY:

USER:

USER: ACTIVITY:

ACTIVITY:

USER:

ACTIVITY:

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 Designing Utensils
Take a look at these utensils. What do you imagine they are used to eat or scoop up?

01

This fork might be used to .

02

I would eat with this spoon!

03

I imagine this spoon is for .

01 02
based on Flaches Modell (Flat Model) Dessert Fork, 1903; Designed by Josef based on Spoon (Netherlands), 1833; Silver; L × W × D: 8.4 × 2 × 1 cm (3  ×  ×
Hoffmann (Austrian, born Moravia, 1870–1956); Manufactured by Wiener 3/8 in.); Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, 1931-64-36
Werkstätte (Vienna, Austria); Silver; L × W × D: 17.9 × 1.6 × 0.4 cm (7  × 5/8 ×
 in.); Museum purchase from Friends of Applied Arts and Industrial Design, 03
General Acquisitions Endowment, and Morrill Acquisitions Funds, 2002-3-1 based on Spoon (France), 19th century; Silver; H × W × D: 17 × 2.9 × 2.9 cm (6  ×

8 1 1/8 × 1 1/8 in.); Gift of Mrs. John Hobart Warren, 1909-21-22

Design a utensil that you could use to eat a cloud.

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 Color Away
Take a break from focusing
on design shapes and think
about color. What different
colors or color palette might
you use on this wallpaper?
Could the colors match your
favorite place or where you
live? Color in the design and
see how it looks.

Right
based on Border, 1875–1906 (USA); Block-printed
paper; Museum purchase from Smithsonian
Institution Collections Acquisition Program and
10 Sarah Cooper-Hewitt Funds, 1995-165-28
Find a Pattern
Look closely at the wallpaper design below. Do you notice the pattern?
See if you can repeat the pattern on your own!

Above
based on Sidewall Sample, 1906–07; Manufactured by Gledhill Wall Paper Co. (New York,
New York, USA); Machine-printed paper; 67 × 47 cm (26 3/8 × 18 1/2 in.); Gift of Dorwin L.
Starr, 1985-19-117; Photo by Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution 11
 What Matters to You?
Design a Poster

01 02

Communication design is a tool for transformation. Ideas are powerful, and when you
communicate them visually you amplify and increase their power.

On the opposite page, write a short message using stencils or writing free-form.
Capture something you want to see in the world. It could be something you want to
support, protect, or speak out against—something you’re passionate about. It can also
be a message of welcome or encouragement. If you’re feeling particularly energized by
your design, remove the page from the book and display it proudly!

01 02
Poster, Vote, ca. 1980; Designed by David Virgien (German, active USA); Poster, No War, ca. 1980; Printed by Mark van S. (American, born 1964); Lithograph
Screenprint on cream paper; H × W: 45.5 × 60.8 cm (17  × 23  in.); Gift of on paper; H × W: 84.5 × 58.7 cm (33 1/4 × 23 1/8 in.); Gift of Steven Heller and Karrie
Steven Heller and Karrie Jacobs, 1993-53-6-4; Photo © Smithsonian Institution Jacobs, 1993-53-39; Photo by Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution
12
13
 Design as Problem-Solving
Designers often define a problem by asking an open-ended question. This helps
to clearly identify what they are seeking to solve. Designers then come up with
design solutions in answer to their question. Let’s try it!

How might you ensure everyone in your community has access to fresh and locally
grown food? To brainstorm your idea, think about the questions in steps 1 and 2
below and write down your answers.

STEP 1
What are three healthy foods that your service would provide to your community?

1.

2.

3.

STEP 2
Identify three components of your solution to get locally grown food to your
community. For example: how will your food travel, and how will it be packaged?

1.

2.

3.

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STEP 3: YOUR DESIGN CHALLENGE
How could you, as a designer, imagine a product or service that could change how
your community gets access to healthy food? In the space below, draw your solution.

15
 Designing Possibilities
Add color to these vases, and draw what might go inside them!

01 02

01 02
based on Vase, ca. 1960; Made by Salviati & Company (Murano, Italy); Glass; H × W based on Clutha Vase, ca. 1890; Designed by Christopher Dresser (British,
× D: 26.4 × 23.2 × 6.2 cm (10 3/8 × 9 1/8 × 2  in.); Gift of Michael Lewis Balamuth, 1834–1904); Manufactured by James Couper & Sons (Glasgow, Scotland);
1971-66-2 Mold-blown glass; H × diam.: 48.3 × 10.2 cm (19 × 4 in.); Museum purchase from
16 General Acquisitions Endowment Fund, 2012-7-1
03 04

03 04
based on Peacock Vase, ca. 1901; Made by Tiffany Glass and Decorating based on Vase, late 19th–early 20th century; Designed by Emile Gallé (French,
Company (New York, New York, USA); Favrile™ glass; H × W × D: 33.7 × 25 × 14 cm 1846–1904); Glass; H × diam.: 13.2 × 6.8 cm (5  × 2  in.); Bequest of Max
(13 1/4 × 9  × 5 1/2 in.); Gift of Stanley Siegel, from the Stanley Siegel Collection, Kobre, 1996-45-9
1975-32-11 17
 Design a Chair
Design a chair to study in. In the space below, brainstorm a list of things you might need
to stay focused.

1.

2.

3.

In the space below, draw your chair!

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Build Your Own Real Good Chair
The Real Good Chair, designed by Blu Dot Design and Manufacturing, can be folded from a single
sheet of steel, optimizing materials while remaining comfortable. Make your own in paper!

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Crease along the fold lines using a ruler.
2. Cut out the shapes with your scissors.
3. Gently crease along the scored lines.
4. Use tape, staples, or a dab of glue to
stick the tabs in place where shown.
5. Bend pieces of cardboard or wire to make
legs, and attach them to your chair.

Left
based on Real Good Chair, designed 2007, this model 2018; Manufactured by Blu
Dot Design and Manufacturing (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA); Powder-coated
steel, carbon steel, plastic, rubber; H × W × D: 83.8 × 83.8 × 48.3 cm (33 × 33 ×
19 in.); Gift of Blu Dot, 2018-35-2-a/d 19
 Build Your Own Real Good Chair
Valley fold

Mountain fold

Alignment marks

LEXINGTON AVE
MADISON AVE
M1, M2, M3, M4 BUS

PARK AVE

3RD AVE
5TH AVE

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CENTRAL PARK

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