Exhibition Dates: May 8 – June 1, 2025
Submission Deadline: January 31
Notifications of Acceptance: February 10
What happens when we look beyond the establishment to spotlight designers working outside traditional systems?Lyle Gallery and Hello Human will organize an upcoming design exhibition that celebrates unconventional practices, bold perspectives, and the power of self-determination in reshaping the idea of who belongs in the design world. We’re looking for designers who are breaking rules, challenging norms, and expanding what design can be. Whether you’re self-taught, experimenting with unexpected materials, working from within a so-called marginalized identity, or pushing boundaries in bold, rebellious ways, we want to hear your story. This is an opportunity to showcase work that doesn’t just critique the status quo but reimagines it—work that builds belonging through creativity, community, and innovation.
What We’re Looking For:
→ Unconventional Practices: Pieces that push the limits of craft, materials, or methods.
→ Personal Stories: Work shaped by unique perspectives, including those informed by race, gender, geography, and class.
→ Bold Contributions: Designs that challenge and expand the traditional boundaries of the field.
→ Community-Driven Work:Pieces that reflect a sense of connection and belonging.
Eligibility: We welcome submissions from designers and artists across disciplines — whether you’re an emerging creative, an independent maker, or part of a collective. You don’t need formal training or institutional recognition to apply. If your work challenges norms and contributes to a rethinking of what design can be, we’d love to see it.
About the Exhibition: The show will take place at Lyle Gallery in Chinatown NY, where we aim to create a platform for underrepresented voices in design. This exhibition is curated as a collaboration between Lyle Gallery and Hello Human and it seeks to amplify stories of resilience, innovation, and creativity while fostering a dialogue about inclusion, access, and belonging in the design world.
Why Submit?
Participating in the show offers:
→ The chance to exhibit your work in a thought-provoking, community-driven show during New York Design Week.
→ Visibility within a gallery setting that prioritizes diverse and underrepresented voices.
→ Opportunities to engage with a broader design community through media coverage and public programming.
→ Professional photography of individual work and exhibition installation to use as you wish
→ Artist profile featured on Lyle Gallery’s online exhibition platform
