Design For the Real World Archives

4-14-06
Q-Tips
Paola Antonelli explains the origins of everybody's favorite ear cleaner.

3-24-06
Roomba
Buy any robots lately? Robotics engineer Daniel H. Wilson explains what's so special about a sentient little vacuum cleaner called the "Roomba." Produced by Caitlin Lindsey.

10-22-05
Tract Houses
D. J. Waldie loves the suburbs. He was born in one of the tract houses manufactured by the thousands in Lakewood, California. He lives there still, and today works for the city. His book Holy Land is a strange and beautiful mix of personal memoir and suburban history. Waldie tells us why the cheap tract houses of these 1940s suburbs are almost idealistic. Produced by David Krasnow and Will Becton.

10-15-05
London Underground Map
London's old, intensely convoluted subway required a new kind of map that broke the rules of cartography. Chris Spurgeon explains why the 1931 Underground map was copied from Tokyo to Chicago.

10-01-05
Superball
Curator Paola Antonelli remembers how the tiny, energetic Superball made havoc in classrooms and workplaces.

8-27-05
PDA
Design curator Paola Antonelli on the fall of Apple's Newton handheld computer, the rise of the Palm, and what makes a great "personal digital assistant" tick.

7-23-05
Jay Harman
When designer Jay Harman comes home from a sailing expedition, he's got a head full of inventions which he spins into new products-- beautiful, efficient designs that mimic nature. He grew up in Australia and spent hours in the ocean watching the way fish move. He envied that ease and decided to copy those natural movements in his inventions. Produced by Mary Stucky.

7-02-05
Fixed-Gear Bike
With only one speed, no flywheel, and no brakes, the fixed-gear reduces the modern bicycle to its most basic machinery. Graphic designer and amateur racer Naz Hamid tells why he loves to ride on the wild side.

6-11-05
Frisbee
Somewhere, right now, at a picnic or on a playing field, someone is pulling out a plate-sized plastic disk to toss around. Paola Antonelli, design curator at the Museum of Modern Art, tells us about how the Frisbee came about and how it has endured.

4-16-05
Wallpaper
Wallpaper. It's not just a substitute for paint, and design curator Susan Yelavich tells us why we should pay it more respect.

3-12-05
I Heart The Bahamas
Milton Glaser, the legendary graphic designer who invented the "I Love NY" symbol, explains why he thinks the new logo for the Bahamas works wonders.

2-19-05
Sheetrock
It doesn’t exactly make anything beautiful, but without it our surroundings would be a lot uglier. Home renovation guru Duo Dickinson sings the praises of the invisible stuff that’s all around us. Literally. Produced by Alexis Schoenberg.

2-12-05
The Incredibles
When designer Jessica Helfand watched the new Pixar superhero epic, The Incredibles, it wasn’t the action or the animation that wowed her. It was the Oscar nominated film’s art direction, architecture and furniture design.

1-15-05
Tsunami Shelter
While the UN's refugee agency is still distributing plastic tarps for emergency shelters, committed designers are trying to figure out how to rebuild homes that last.

12-18-04
Old Saint Nick
Today in Design for the Real World, graphic designer Stephen Heller looks at how the image of the fat guy in the red and white suit evolved into a global brand called Santa Claus.

Why does it feel so good to tie a scarf around your neck? Are you just keeping warm – or are you tying a knot between your head and your heart? Veronique Vienne extolls the simple scarf and instructs us on how to tie one right.

11-06-04
Designing the Electoral Map
Kurt Andersen and graphic designer Paula Scher, who designed the best-seller America The Book, explore the grey areas, or at least the purple areas.
Read the text of this interview

10-16-04
Smart Car
The tiny Smart Car is a common sight in Europe. But here in the U.S. you’re more likely to see the distinctive car at the Museum of Modern Art than on the road. Still, some Smart Car enthusiasts are importing the tiny two-door. Sally Jessy Raphael shows Ilya Marritz why she drives a Smart Car.

8-21-04
Ribbon Bookmark
Architectural writer Sara Moss celebrates the simple and fabulous ribbon bookmark.

8-07-04
The Sneaker
Paola Antonelli, design curator at the Museum of Modern Art, finds sublime design in a rubber-soled wonder -- the sneaker.

7-31-04
The Mirror
Design critic Veronique Vienne tells us how pieces of reflective glass in 18th century France sparked a culture of narcissism.

7-17-04
Vespa
Paola Antonelli, design curator at the Museum of Modern Art, has her own soft spot for the Vespa Motor Scooter - the icon of mid-century transportation chic. Produced by Angela Frucci.

10-18-03
Curta Calculator
The Curta Calculator is an object that has been made totally obsolete by modern electronics. Produced by Chris Spurgeon.

9-20-03
The Pool Table
Graphic designer Ken Carbone finds elegance and history in the green felt field of battle. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

8-14-03
Envelope
The journalist and designer Georgina Keenan opens up something we all used a lot more back before email -- the envelope. Produced by Rob Weisberg.

8-09-03
Stop Sign
The stop sign. Graphic Designer Stephen Heller talks about the street sign no one can ignore.

8-02-03
Ice Cream cone
MOMA design curator Paola Antonelli explains the perfect form and use of the ice cream cone. Produced by Jarrod Alexander and Jocelyn Gonzales.

7-12-03
Telecaster
The twangy sound of the Telecaster guitar makes it the favorite of blues players and most country guitarists. Redd Volkaert has spent the last five years playing for Merle Haggard, and he tells us how he fell in love with the Telecaster. Produced by Michael May.

7-05-03
The Parachute Jump
Graphic designer Steven Heller tells the story of a seaside landmark known as the "Eiffel Tower of Coney Island."

4-19-03
Ballparks
Baseball season has just begun. Designer and Cleveland Indians loyalist Michael Bierut is a huge fan of the game and a connoisseur of the ballpark. He looks at what separates the mid-century monstrosity from the field of dreams. Produced by David Krasnow.

4-05-03
Protest Poster
Graphic designer Steve Heller looks at protest posters from Vietnam to Iraq.

3-8-03
Paper Towel
Graphic Designer Steven Heller soaks up the aesthetics of the paper towel. Produced by Leital Molad.

3-1-03
AK-47
Writer Guy Martin looks at the AK-47 rifle.

2-8-03
Bookmark
Architectural writer Sara Moss celebrates the simple and fabulous ribbon bookmark.

2-1-03
Excavator
Industrial engineer James Dyson is the creator of the Dyson Cyclone Vacuum, but he also digs the elegant design of another dirty machine -- the excavator.

1-25-03
Zipper
MoMA design curator Paola Antonelli has these thoughts on an elegant little machine that helps us hold it all together--the zipper. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

12-28-02
The Rubik's Cube
Architect William Katavolos remembers the inventor of the most popular puzzle of the 1980s -The Rubik’s Cube.

12-21-02
Santa Claus
Graphic Designer Steven Heller looks at the strange history of the fat man of the season-Santa Claus. Produced by Leital Molad.

11-30-02
Mannequins
Graphic designer Steven Heller gazes into store windows and confesses his passion for mannequins. Produced by Leital Molad.

11-23-02
T-Shirt
Graphic Designer Steven Heller looks at the one piece of clothing that has become part of everyone’s standard uniform -- the T-shirt.

11-16-02
Bedding
Writer Akiko Busch finds a disturbing new interior design trend in an unlikely place-the bed.

10-19-02
Pen
Designer Ken Carbone has a soft spot for a very simple tool--the ink pen. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

10-12-02
Phone Rings
Multimedia artist and designer Ben Rubin explains the origin of something we hear everyday -- the telephone ring. Produced by Steve Nelson.

09-14-02
Backpacks
Writer Akiko Busch watches her kid's baggage evolve toward high style along with the rest of their accessories. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

09-07-02
9/11 Souvenirs
Karal Ann Marling, an American Studies professor, looks at the phenomenon of memorial souvenirs. Produced by Leital Molad.
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08-17-02
Vinyl
Sound artist Janek Schaefer gives the scratches and pops of vinyl records some respect. Produced by Michael Raphael.

08-03-02
Coffee
A look at the delivery device for possibly the most socially acceptable drug -- caffeine. MoMA Design curator Paola Antonelli tells us why the disposal plastic coffee cup lid is here to stay. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

07-20-02
Hot & Cold
Design critic Steven Heller looks at the irresistible cold of summer ads. Produced by Leital Molad.

07-13-02
Zipper
MoMA design curator Paola Antonelli has these thoughts on an elegant little machine that helps us hold it all together--the zipper. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

07-06-02
EU Flag
The European Union has been contemplating the flag it adopted 16 years ago. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has proposed a new flag design to accommodate the growing EU. Graphic designer Michael Bierut weighs in on Koolhaas's idea. Produced by Michele Siegel.

06-22-02
Soundmarks
The multimedia artist and designer Ben Rubin says more effort should go into creating audio landmarks -- like the sound of subway doors opening. Produced by Steve Nelson.

06-15-02
Bicycle
Machine designer Chalo Colina explains how his true inspiration came from a gift he got when he was a teenager: a bicycle. Produced by Michael May and Jocelyn Gonzales.

06-01-02
Bayway Refinery
Design critic Philip Nobel finds something transcendent about what most of us would consider an eyesore -- The Bayway Refinery on the edge of the New Jersey Turnpike. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

05-18-02
Phone Rings
Multimedia artist and designer Ben Rubin explains the origin of something we hear everyday -- the telephone ring. Produced by Steve Nelson.

05-11-02
Baseball Cap
Lifelong baseball fan and graphic designer Steven Heller looks at the most American piece of headwear -- the baseball cap. Produced by Steve Nelson.

05-04-02
Mannequins
Graphic designer Steven Heller gazes into store windows and confesses his passion for mannequins. Produced by Leital Molad.

04-27-02
Swag
Advertising critic Warren Berger finds some logo-stamped freebies more alluring than others. Produced by Amy Jeffries and Leital Molad.

03-23-02
Movie Typefaces
This Oscar weekend, graphic designer Michael Bierut proposes a new award the Academy should give out -- a statuette for typefaces. Produced by Leital Molad.

03-09-02
The Post-it Note
Paola Antonelli, design curator at the Museum of Modern Art, collects her thoughts on the indispensable yellow sticky. Produced by Steve Nelson.

03-02-02
Hardware
Designer Ken Carbone finds delight in his local hardware store. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

02-23-02
Backpacks
Writer Akiko Busch watches her kid's baggage evolve toward high style along with the rest of their accessories. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales

02-16-02
Olympic Design
At the Winter Olympics we'll see all kinds of new sports gear designed to make athletes go faster, higher, and farther. But sometimes, the latest technological advances are not permitted in competition. Writer Akiko Busch looks at what she calls outlaw equipment. Produced by Steve Nelson.

02-09-02
Suitcases
Design critic Veronique Vienne gives an ode to suitcases as adventurous as the trips they go on. Produced by Jocelyn Gonzales.

01-12-02
Mary and Russel Wright
Martha Stewart owes a lot to Mary and Russel Wright. Russel designed masterful dinnerware and objects for the home--and Mary invented the idea of selling a lifestyle. Produced by Julie Burstein.

01-05-02
The Euro
On January 1st, twelve countries officially adopted a single form of currency. MoMA design curator Paola Antonelli tells us what she thinks of the new Euro.

12-22-01
Christmas Cards
Graphic designer Steven Heller looks at one piece of seasonal design where tradition wins out over innovation. Produced by Leital Molad.

11-17-01
License Plate
Steven Heller wonders why automobile license plates have become so overwrought. Produced by Leital Molad.

10-27-01
The movie theater
Historian Larry May slips into one of his favorite places -- the movie theater. Produced by Michael May.

10-20-01
The can opener
Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield wrestles with the form and function of his newest kitchen appliance, a can opener. Produced by Steve Nelson.

10-13-01
The mirror
Design critic Veronique Vienne tells us how pieces of reflective glass in 18th century France sparked a culture of narcissism.

09-01-01
The bathtub
Design expert Ann Glickman soaks in the design of a popular household luxury.

07-28-01
The nutrition label
Graphic designer Michael Bierut appraises the simple chart that graces every grocery item.

0721-01
The sneaker
Paola Antonelli, design curator at the Museum of Modern Art, finds sublime design in a rubber-soled wonder -- the sneaker.

07-07-01
The baseball cap
Lifelong baseball fan and graphic designer Steven Heller looks at the most American piece of headwear -- the baseball cap.

06-30-01
The UPS logo
Graphic designer Michael Bierut looks at something every company wants -- a successful logo.

06-23-01
The diaper
Critic Philip Nobel talks about his recent initiation into the shockingly complex world of diaper design.

06-16-01
The coffee table
Design critic Veronique Vienne makes sense of an American furniture icon.

06-02-01
The Postage Stamp
Graphic designer Steven Heller explains how these tiny, utilitarian stickers became miniature displays of popular culture.

05-05-01
The Lucky Strike cigarette pack
Cleveland Institute of Art professor Richard Fiorelli looks at the 1940's masterpiece by legendary designer Raymond Loewy.

04-28-01
The Miele Vacuum Cleaner
Design Critic Philip Nobel confesses a peculiar passion for a household appliance-- The Miele Vacuum Cleaner.

04-14-01
The 1040
Graphic designer Michael Bierut appraises the design of the single most familiar government form, the one due to the IRS on Monday, April 16, 2001.

04-07-01
The Stop Sign
Graphic Designer Stephen Heller gives insight on the street sign no one can ignore.

03-31-01
Banana Bicycle Seat
A profile of designer Viktor Schreckengost, who created the banana seat for bicycles as well as hundreds of other designs you see everyday. Produced by Dee Perry and Dave DeOreo of WCPN, Cleveland.

03-24-01
Washing Machine
Prototype designs from the 1800's, which not only scrubbed clothes, but churned butter and made sausage too. Produced by Michael May.

03-17-01
Chairs
Designer Veronique Vienne doesn't take chairs sitting down.

03-10-01
Acela
A look at Amtrak's sleek new train. Produced by Susan Scheuer.

03-03-01
The Automatic Teller Machine
Product designer David Kelley looks at the interface of one of modern society's most indispensable machines.

02-24-01
The Swastika
Graphic designer Steven Heller looks at an ancient token of good fortune that was transformed into the emblem of Nazi Germany.

02-17-01
Lipstick
For writer and designer Veronique Vienne the sleek cylinder of color is as indispensable as a Swiss army knife.

02-10-01
Dangerous Curves:
The graceful forms and diverse designs of guitars are featured in an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, including one unusual instrument, a black wedge of carbon graphite and epoxy called the Steinberger.