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20 Years of the Chicago Design Archive: Opening Reception

  • Design Museum of Chicago 72 East Randolph Street Chicago, IL, 60601 United States (map)

Join us for the opening reception of 20 Years of the Chicago Design Archive featuring a lecture by CDA board member and SAIC faculty Lara Allison on Friday, August 2nd, from 5:00 – 8:00pm!

Light bites and refreshments will be available.


About the Exhibition

Since 2003, the Chicago Design Archive (CDA) has been the premiere online repository for Chicago-related graphic design, experiential design, and product design, with the majority of works in the collection produced in the last hundred years. This exhibition celebrates two decades of preserving historically important works and the archive’s continuous expansion to reflect Chicago’s vibrant design scene. 

Starting with an initial collection of 900 slides, the CDA has grown to include over 3,800 examples of work by 1,200 designers and 480 design firms. Featuring the CDA’s Graphic, Experiential, and Product Design collections, the exhibit showcases significant works of Chicago design, honoring its rich past, dynamic present, and inspiring future.


20 Years of the Chicago Design Archive is funded by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.