ABSTRACT
Interpreting contemporary, mass-produced objects in institutions that privilege the original, the authentic, and the rare challenges both the design museum and the visitor. The exclusion of commerce from exhibitions seems at odds with the goals of earlier design museums. In the nineteenth century, design museums were seen as vehicles to educate consumers and improve the quality of manufactured goods, mandates clearly in the service of the economy. This chapter outlines how design museums have actively supported the industry of design and a half, and then explores how the design museum nevertheless denies the idea of design as commodity in exhibitions. It identifies opportunities for visitor engagement that acknowledge design as business through different approaches to display. The chapter includes major design museums in London and New York, as well as from personal experience at the Design Exchange, a small design museum in Toronto.
