About the Exhibition

The sample book and other formats that contain examples of a product or technique are uniquely tangible tools which link together design, technology, and marketing. They have been used for more than 300 years for the merchandizing and recording of design alternatives in many areas of the decorative arts, including wallcoverings, ceramics, and textiles. Multiple Choice: From Sample to Product examines sampling formats from the collections of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and Smithsonian Institution Libraries, which illustrate a vast selection of available design options and make the connection between samples and final products.