Who made our stuff? We’re drawn to the simplicity of a single name, a design hero. But creating is a team sport! By listing one designer on a museum label, or teaching the art and design history of a limited canon of mostly male, mostly white creators, we miss the scores of invisible, underrepresented and unheralded designers who created in anonymity with no expectation of renown. Educator and design historian Matthew Bird will weave the connections and contrasts between iconic designs and anonymous objects, famous designers with ones you’ve never heard of, and illuminate the hands and histories behind the humble objects we rely upon everyday.

The lecture will be held in person at the Museum and virtually on Vimeo, and will be followed by audience Q&A and tea reception.