A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes

Visual Identity, Exhibition, Architecture

A collaborator of Frank Lloyd Wright and Raymond Loewy, Dorothy Liebes adorned grayish buildings designed by men with fabrics of unparalleled color and shimmer. Though she was celebrated in her lifetime, interest in Liebes’ work waned after her death—a consequence in part of the inability of black-and-white photography to capture the resplendent intensity of her designs and their revolutionary use of materials. The exhibition restores Liebes’ place in history by juxtaposing photographs with their respective original objects. The design is spacious and sophisticated, yet unabashedly colorful and effervescent—a tribute to Liebes’ belief that high design should be popularly accessible.

Designing in the architectural context of the Cooper Hewitt’s historic landmark building is an exercise in turning constraints into opportunities. Exhibition architecture newly introduced into the space cannot be attached to the historic wood floor or walls. Most objects are required to be presented in existing, impermeable glass vitrines, backed by exhibition walls, or in archival casework with inert materials. We collaborated with the museum team to develop bespoke design solutions for each scenario, including a new label system that is minimalist and sleek, yet optimized for accessible reading. The trenchant, contemporary design stands both in contrast to and synthesis with the architectural context—a nod to Liebes’ syncretic design philosophy.