Build your design toolkit! Design Practice is a series of free, drop-in workshops for high school students exploring techniques, strategies, and careers in design. No prior experience required—just bring yourself and a creative mindset. Join us for a workshop with designer Liam Lee, whose work is featured in our current exhibition Making Home. Get inspired by Lee’s needle felting skills and learn how to create your very own needle-felted patch to add to a beanie. All materials are included!
Design Practice is developed for teens only, no adults are permitted.
GUEST DESIGNER
Born and raised in New York City, Liam Lee (b. 1993) is an American designer whose work is concerned with the dissolution of the boundary between interior and exterior space, between man-made object and the natural environment.
Since beginning his practice in 2020, Lee has exhibited work both in the United States and internationally. Named a finalist for the 2023 Loewe Craft Prize, Lee was included in Wallpaper* Magazine’s USA 300 list in 2023, and USA 400 list in 2024. In 2021, Lee was named one of Dwell’s 24 emerging designers, and Architectural Digest’s ‘Ones to Watch.’
Recent shows include “Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial” at Cooper Hewitt, R&Company’s Objects:USA Triennial, and the Homo Faber Biennale in Venice. His work is in the permanent collections of SFMoMA and the Denver Art Museum, and at the Noguchi Museum shop in Long Island City. Liam received his BA in English Literature from the University of Chicago in 2015.
Accessibility & What to Expect
- Format: This in-person program will be a hands-on design drop-in workshop and tour (stay for as little or as much time as you like). No previous design experience is required. All materials are included.
- About the space: This program will take place in Cooper Hewitt’s Lecture Room on the ground floor of the museum. It is fully wheelchair accessible. There will be group seating at tables. There is an accessible restroom on the same floor. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt.
- Accommodations: If we can provide services to support your participation, email us at CHEducation@si.edu. Please make your request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least ten days before the program date.
Support
Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by The Pinkerton Foundation, The Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, The Hirsch Family Foundation, PwC Charitable Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, internal Smithsonian Institution funds from the Youth Access Grants for Youth Innovation in Rural America, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial is presented in collaboration with Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. This project received federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum; the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino; the Asian Pacific American Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center; and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Generous support is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Terra Foundation for American Art.
Support is also provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation; Edward and Helen Hintz; re:arc institute; the Keith Haring Foundation; the Lemberg Foundation; Maharam; and the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts.
