Design Museum of Chicago

Great gallery space! I went with a friend for On the Precipice -- a lot of the works on display had little to do with design in a functional sense, but used the space well and were interesting + well treated by the commentary on the labels. The staff were warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. Great place to stop in, and I'm excited to start popping in regularly for other exhibits!

Nice space that’s currently running an exhibit on different typefaces. Front desk / reception needs some work - the lady had no interest in helping with some displays that were down and was busy talking with someone over the phone for all of the 10 minutes I was inside.

Cool little museum located in the heart of Chicago. Ultra convenient location with plenty of public transportation options. Not very large although they do fill in the area with as many artifacts as possible. Completely free exhibit means there’s no excuse to not stop by if you’re in the area. Doesn’t take too long to browse though and is absolutely amazing if you’re interested in the subject currently on display. The only reason it’s not a 5 star location is if the topic on display is not grabbing your attention, it’s quite hard to find a diversity of design aspects and artifacts to latch on for your attention.

A pretty small museum that you can probably get through in 20 to 30 minutes. Wouldn't go out of my way to visit this, but it is free!

I was really looking forward to checking out this museum! Unfortunately, I barely made it through the door before the front desk lady (working at 3pm on 6/15/24) kicked me and my family out. It’s kind of an unbelievable story. There was a bird stuck in the revolving doors, and the other regular door was locked. When I tried to squeeze through the revolving door to open the other door for my family from the inside, she approached us, held/trapped me in the revolving door and yelled at me for trying to let the bird in. After I came out the other side (without letting the bird in), she proceeded to yell at me more, so I offered that the building should lock the revolving door and/or open the other door so patrons can have a way to come in without letting the bird in. Her response to this suggestion was that she does not respond to me and only responds to her supervisor. When I asked how else people should enter the building, she literally said to me, “then don’t enter.” Utterly floored, I thanked her for her welcome to this public space and turned to leave. As I was leaving, she yelled a thank you for ruining the day. It was a stunning public humiliation. I don’t know who is running this space, but perhaps some front desk training would be a good place to put some resources. I’m left wondering what about my race or presentation elicited a response that left me feeling like a second class citizen in a public institution in a supposedly diverse city. Unless you are confident in your privileges, enter with caution!

They were between exhibits and the only exhibit in place was a piece you sign. They offered dried paint markers with no replacement... was... not amazing

Absolutely beautiful art exhibit. Very small, only one large room, but very worth visiting! Interesting, unique museum.

The design museum is free to visit. The puzzle exhibit was super fun!

Could be possibly the smallest museum you'll be in. Design Museum Of Chicago is basically a showcase for local artists with a rotating collection of paintings, sculptures, and more. It's a lot more casual and contemporary than a typical museum, and can be looked at in about 20 minutes or so. For sure take a bit more time to check out works by local artists. This also has free admission at times. After exiting the back of the Chicago Cultural Center, this is almost across Randolph Street, so it's easy to get to both. It's not like most museums. The exhibits all rotate quite often. Go one month and it's different. It's free admission on Sundays. Basically that's the only time you need to go. The museum is too small to pay a lot. In spring it features art by students in the public schools, and this is pretty impressive. This isn't any hand turkeys or stuff like that. A summer exhibit by Barbara Koenen was about clocks. There were literally hundreds of clocks everywhere. It was an exhibit to make us think of time and how it can be absurd. This was a thoughtful collection of clocks being put in certain positions to make a pattern of sorts. Be sure to come back often to see the latest exhibits. It seems like it changes a lot. The best time to come is any Sunday because it's free admission and you get to check out some creative artwork by students or whoever.

The Design Museum of Chicago is a small but cool little art stop. It was free to get in and consists of one room with various art displayed among it including several visual and 3 dimensional pieces. I enjoy the art in. Chicago anyhow so I jump at a chance for some more experimental and modern pieces. The place is staffed by a single security guard and appears to rely on donations. Its definitely worth a stop as you are walking by....and its free. Its easy to get to and you are likely to see at least something that intrigues you.

It was .... Boring and tiny. We stopped in during Open House Chicago - and I guess the purpose of this place escaped me

I was really looking forward to checking out this museum! Unfortunately, I barely made it through the door before the front desk lady (working at 3pm on 6/15/24) kicked me and my family out. It's kind of an unbelievable story. There was a bird stuck in the revolving doors, and the other regular door was locked. When I tried to squeeze through the revolving door to open the other door for my family from the inside, she approached us, held/trapped me in the revolving door and yelled at me for trying to let the bird in. After I came out the other side (without letting the bird in), she proceeded to yell at me more, so I offered that the building should lock the revolving door and/or open the other door so patrons can have a way to come in without letting the bird in. Her response to this suggestion was that she does not respond to me and only responds to her supervisor. When I asked how else people should enter the building, she literally said to me, "then don't enter." Utterly floored, I thanked her for her welcome to this public space and turned to leave. As I was leaving, she yelled a thank you for ruining the day. It was a stunning public humiliation. I don't know who is running this space, but perhaps some front desk training would be a good place to put some resources. I'm left wondering what about my race or presentation elicited a response that left me feeling like a second class citizen in a public institution in a supposedly diverse city. Unless you are confident in your privileges, enter with caution!

Has been here for a couple of grand opening events. The latest is the shape of Chicago John Massey's 1968 banners Revisited and reimagined by Chicago's creative youth. Although the space is relatively small, the exhibits that they feature here are worth the time you take to not only look at the art, but discover the history behind the art. A lot of people will just come in here and look around and leave, but I urge you to find out the background of the designs as it will make your visit here more enjoyable. The museum is free, but there is a donation box at the entrance. I have found my visits here enjoyable and enlightening, you should check it out for yourselves!

Fun, free "museum" at the mall. I was there when they were showcasing "Games in Modern Culture." Most activities were geared towards kids but it was fun getting to release my inner child. I had a fun few minutes "riding" a moving cardboard box through space, shooting at asteroids. It will probably take you only about an hour max to walk around and experience everything. The girl manning the front desk was doing her own thing (homework?), which I didn't mind because, let's be real, I wasn't gonna buy anything anyways (there's a small gift section with shirts, books etc). I wouldn't necessarily make a trip just to visit, but if you're in the mall or in the nearby vicinity, check it out!

On the way up the escalators to the AMC Dine-In Theater on the 4th floor of Block Thirty Seven, we were lucky enough to spy this sweet little spot, and bookmark it in our brains to come back to after the movie. So glad that we did, because this was such a nice surprise of a gem to walk through! The current exhibit is Unfolded: Made with Paper, and only goes through July 30th, so don't miss this! Pieces from all over the world, as well as the local Chicago design community are lovely, lively, sweet, clever, and just really breathtaking. It's a quick walk through, but it really is something worthwhile to see. There's also an area with unique gifty items, for the creative in you - or a friend. If you sign up to be a member, it's only $75 a year and you get a discount on these cool gifty items and conferences and events, as well as get invites to member events. I think it's a great way to support the design community! Admission is free, and hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12pm-7pm.

The Design Museum is a hidden gem in the loop. They have a cool, ever changing space featuring rotating exhibits on design, architecture, and Chicago things. Admission is free! The gift shop is full of cute, well priced prints and gifts including local honey, paper doll inspired pillows and a host of "You Are Beautiful" merchandise. Most of the products are from Chicago designers, so you can feel good about shopping local. Their last exhibit, Unfolded (which sadly closed in August) was full of amazing paper arts from around the world. Neon paper cassette tapes sat beside crinkled wall art, gold cut outs, and paper air plane sculptures. My favorite exhibit of the three I've seen. There's also a little "library" area where you can sit and browse design books. And you'll probably find the owner/curators Matt and Tanner around - two great guys! Definitely say hi. I Can't wait to see the next exhibit! Sign up for their emails at ChiDM.com - they always throw a killer opening party.

I read about the 'Keep Moving: Designing Chicago's Bicycle Culture" exhibit at the Expo 72 Design Museum of Chicago location about a month ago, and put it on my radar. Was glad we had a chance to step in and see it yesterday. The exhibit is on the smaller side but each display offers an interesting historical lesson about Chicago's prominent bicycling history. From its roots in the 19th century to modern day Divvy bikes, it's cool to see, touch and read about the history of local biking. Only a handful of bikes were on display but I couldn't have picked a better assortment than they offered. Although technology has changed dramatically, biking really hasn't in 125+ years. The best part about the exhibit...it's FREE! A note to visitors, the Design Museum of Chicago has two locations. The biking exhibit was at their 72 E. Randolph location. They have a second location at 108 N State St. We stopped here too, this was a small workshop with little in the way of actual exhibits. Cheers.

There isn't much to review. The few exhibits are really more entertaining for kids. We walked thru the place in 15 minutes and thought "why are we here" and "didn't we pass a movie theatre". If we had the kids with us 10 years ago we would have been at least an hours worth of free fun. If you don't have kids don't bother. All the best.

A Great place that always full of surprising experience. As a UX designer, I got wondered that the taste and design level in visual, typography and architecture perspective in every visit. And always learn a lot from exhibitions in there. The gift shop is full of wonders, I can always find something like poster or gadgets so adorable in there. It is also the best place to meet great people, aka designer. It is in the center of Chicago design community. I also really appreciate the founder's vision and courage to run 1st design museum in windy city Will visit ChiDM more and more.

I've been to the Chicago Design Museum a bunch. It's a super lovely place, run by super lovely people. If I'm ever looking for a place of respite in the hubbub of downtown, I know I can dip in there, have a peaceful moment, and be inspired. In addition to their incredible day-to-day happenings, they host events off site, at night and on the weekends. Keep your eye out for awesome things happening from them.

Although the museum may be small, (walking by it on the street, or inside Block 37, you may even miss it,) it's worth every square inch of its space in gold. The exhibit design is unparalleled in its thoughtfulness and execution, and in and of itself warrants multiple visits, but the work on display is also world-class. Literally. There is work on display in the museum from design firms around the world whose names, but not works, will be new to you. If you're looking for a great space to quietly reflect on life, art, the built environment, social constructs, or maybe buy some one-of-a-kind gifts, check out the Design Museum. And as it's a free activity located at a Blue/Red Line stop, just a short elevator ride to the third floor, there are few reasons not to visit.

ChiDM offers something no other museum in Chicago can, and that's Tanner Woodford. Seriously though, seeing the team bring their vision to life, and to have that vision shaped by the actual community it serves, has been a beautiful thing to behold. Each exhibition has its own character and soul, providing both inspiration and education. And the shop is incredibly well-curated. A must-do for anyone, whether Chicago visitor or resident.

Located in the center of the Loop and walking distance from the Art Institute, the Chicago Design Museum(ChiDM) is a major local attraction for design lovers who look for well-curated events/shows. The most contents of exhibitions, events, and workshops at ChiDM are intended for various ages and exclusively opened for its members. ChiDM is also the best shopping place to buy rare design items for gift and collection. Check out their schedule on the website before your visit.

This is a very small museum. It is worth a look-see but you won't stay very long.