Great Ideas of Humanity Art Exhibition

The Design Museum of Chicago is excited to present Great Ideas of Humanity. From June 27th to August 4th, the exhibition brings together 55 talented and designers from local, national, and international backgrounds.

Language shapes our understanding of the world—it preserves history, provokes thought, and sparks change. But words alone are not enough. Through design, typography, and artistic interpretation, language takes on form, becoming something we can see, feel, and experience.

Great Ideas of Humanity continues the legacy of the iconic Great Ideas of Western Man campaign, reimagining its vision for a broader, more inclusive future. This latest iteration transforms thought-provoking phrases into striking visual statements, turning ideas into tangible works of art that invite reflection and conversation.

On May 2, 2025, ten youth poets from Young Chicago Authors performed original work at DMoC. Their poems, drawn from the 2025 Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival, inspired artists and designers in the audience to create new pieces, turning an evening of poetry into a powerful exchange of language, design, and shared vision.

The exhibition will be on display at the Design Museum of Chicago at 72 E. Randolph and is free to the public.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Friday July 12th at 5:00pm.