The Museam of Art and Design opened in their new location at Columbus circle a few weeks ago. Adam Sean and I checked it out last weekend — we were psyched to go after seeing the awesome rebranding that Michael Bierut’s team at NY Pentagram did. Unfortunately there was a lot left to be desired when it came to the museam’s permanent collection — it was much more craft based design than we expected. The most interesting aspect of visitng the museum turned out to be the interactive signage that was developed by Lisa Strausfeld’s Dynamic Media team at NY Pentagram. The information kiosk touch screens were iphone inspired and captivating. The floor description signs by the elevators were an unexpected suprise the moment we entered the museum lobby. The information subltly slides up and down to revel that it is much more than a traditional sign — the large vertical signs use a dynamic system of sliding horizontal bars that verticaly expand and compress to reveal floor information. This bar concept was also well translated into the static glass signage in the stair wells.

As for the featured exhibit “Second Lives remixing the ordinary”, there were a few very smart pieces but overall, I wouldn’t run out to see it.