DESIGN ON DEMAND
MODA’s Exhibition Talks, Delivered to You
Bring MODA to You
MODA’s most popular exhibitions don’t disappear when the gallery closes. Now you can explore our most popular exhibits—like Al Dente: The Design of Pasta, Characters: Type in Action, and Designing Playful Cities—through engaging talks and presentations delivered virtually or in person to your group.
Whether you’re a senior community, school, civic group, library, or club, MODA’s Design on Demand program offers accessible and inspiring deep-dives into the ways design shapes everyday life, culture, and the future.
Choose a theme below, fill the form, and let us do the rest. Talks can be paired with discussion guides, activities, or interactive Q&A sessions.
DESIGN ON DEMAND THEMES
Design & Daily Life, Design for Justice, Design for the Planet, Design for Delight
Design & Daily Life
Explore the extraordinary design stories behind the ordinary things we use every day—from the past on our plate to the chair we sit in.
Al Dente: The Design of Pasta
Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes, and each one has a purpose. Learn the surprising history and design behind your favorite Italian noodles—and how pasta became an icon of Italian culture.
Please Be Seated: 100 Years of Chair Design
Chairs do more than hold us up—they tell stories about comfort, style, and society. Discover how chairs have changed over the last century, from modern designs to chairs that make a statement.
Passione Italiana: The Art of Espresso
Dive into the world of Italian espresso—from its sleek machines to its cultural rituals. Take a trip to Italy as you explore the design, heritage, and the timeless joy of a perfect cup.
BITTERSWEET: The Design of Chocolate
Chocolate has a long and complicated story. Learn how it traveled from ancient ceremonies to store shelves, and how people today are working to make chocolate fairer for farmers and better for the planet.
Design for Justice
Discover how design fuels social change—from typography rooted in civil rights history to handmade protest banners that shape movements.
CHARACTERS: Type in Action
Letters are more than just shapes—they tell powerful stories. This talk explores how fonts and typefaces have been used in movements for justice, identity, and change.
Making Change: The Art & Craft of Activism
Sometimes, a handmade sign can change the world. This talk highlights how crafts like quilting, embroidery, and posters have helped people speak out and stand up for what they believe in.
Design for the Planet
Explore how nature, sustainability, and circular design are shaping a better future—and how designers are learning from the Earth.
Threads of Change: Design & Data
Can fabric tell a story? This talk explores how artists use textiles to visualize climate data, document nature, and spark action. From crocheted coral reefs to stitched oil histories, discover how threads become powerful tools for change.
Learning from Nature: The Future of Design
Nature is the world’s best designer. Explore how bees, shells, trees, and more are inspiring people to create smarter, greener buildings, tools, and systems.
Full Circle: Design Without End
What if nothing went to waste? Learn how designers around the world are embracing circular and regenerative practices to create a more sustainable, closed-loop future.
Design for Delight
A look at how playful design choices—big and small—can turn everyday places into experiences that surprise and inspire people of all ages.
Designing Playful Cities
What if cities were designed for fun? Discover how parks, sidewalks, and neighborhoods can be reimagined to bring joy, movement, and connection to people of all ages.