Cooper-Hewitt's current exhibition, Design USA: Contemporary Innovation.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big fan of the Cooper-Hewitt (member since 1983), but this show, which runs through April 4, is exceptional and truly offers something of interest for everyone. It is sure to please, inspire, motivate and - as an added benefit - get you out of the winter cold for a couple of hours.

Design USA celebrates the accomplishments of the winners honored during the first 10 years of the prestigious National Design Awards. The exhibition features outstanding contemporary achievements in American architecture and numerous design disciplines including landscape, interior, product, communication, corporate, interactive and fashion.

The exhibit's graphics, Web site, and iPod touch interactive program were developed by New York-based design firm 2x4. The firm's iPod touch program was created specifically to complement and expand the content of the physical installation, and invite visitors to delve more deeply into the work of the designers included in the show. It offers visitors audio interviews along with videos and interactive slideshows keyed to the exhibits. The museum's wireless capacity allows visitors to comment on any object in the exhibition. The comment is shown in real time on a series of screens in the galleries and posted on the exhibition's Web site and on Twitter. According to 2x4's partner, Georgianna Stout, "The visitors comments add dimension, context, and meaning to the objects in the Design USA exhibition. This participatory model is a challenging way to approach exhibition design and the relationship between the museum and the visitors within ? and beyond ? the museum space itself."

An added bonus is the museum space. The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, a branch of the Smithsonian, is housed in the Andrew Carnegie Mansion, located on the corner of 5th Avenue (Museum Mile) and 91st Street in New York City. The 64-room former private residence is a treasure in and of itself. Visit www.cooperhewitt.org for hours and additional museum information.

Work up an appetite viewing the exhibit? Omelets, salads and hamburgers are available at Jackson Hole, on the corner of 91st & Madison. Their Blue Burger is my personal favorite. If you have a better $10 entertainment or educational deal in NYC, please let me know!

Henry Luhmann, Director of Production Services at Long Island advertising agency Austin & Williams, offers results-oriented, creative project planning supported by years of experience in all aspects of printing and production. To read more about Henry, visit his bio section on the A&W Web site.