What is it?
Anywhere calling itself the Design Museum had better have an architecturally fabulous building to hold its archive, and London’s design HQ achieved just that in 2016 when it relocated from its former home on the side of the Thames near Tower Bridge to a new-and-improved building by British architect John Pawson. With its shiny Pringle-shaped parabolic roof and colossal atrium, it’s both an awe-inspiring presence and also a trove of the world's finest design.
Founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran, the museum shows off the most innovative design in the world, and shows how it can help the planet and humanity to thrive. It began life as part of an independent project by the V&A museum and brought garments from Issey Miyake and tech from Sony to London. It then took over a former banana warehouse in the Docklands where it staged groundbreaking exhibitions including the first UK showcases of Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Eileen Gray. Its new digs are bigger and brighter and hold multiple gallery spaces and learning environments.
Its permanent collection is an important record of the key designs that have shaped the modern world, telling the history of mass production and the digital revolution and spans all aspects of design including architecture, fashion, furniture, product, graphic design and transport. Its temporary exhibitions are often big-scale affairs like its Stanley Kubrick exhibition and its focus on Californian design.
Why go?
To understand how important designs have shaped our world.
Don’t miss:
As well as carrying products related to the museum's current exhibitions, the museum shop sources intriguing products from world-class designers. The emphasis is on fun, functional, gift-like kitchen and homeware, though you'll also find cool stationery, arty prints, books, toys, postcards and items you never even realised you coveted.
When to visit:
Mon-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm, peak times at weekends and school holidays.
Ticketing info:
Free, some exhibitions are ticketed.
Time Out tip:
Much of the Design Museum is a dedicated learning campus and it puts on a fascinating range of talks and workshops. Look online for the latest programming which includes hearing from professional creatives like the designers behind Tim Burton’s films, lectures from industry experts and workshops exploring how to design for a net-zero world.
See more of London's best museums and discover our guide to the very best things to do in London.
