Object Timeline

1965

  • Work on this object began.

1972

  • We acquired this object.

1975

  • Work on this object ended.

2023

2025

  • You found it!

Questionnaire, Our Search for Symbols

This is a Questionnaire. It was designed by Henry Dreyfuss. It is dated ca. 1970 and we acquired it in 1972. Its medium is pint on paper. It is a part of the department.


Dreyfuss worked closely with his staff and the public to ensure that the best symbols were chosen for publication. A questionnaire entitled "Our Search for Symbols" solicited thousands of designs from people around the world. Submissions reflected the many perspectives of symbol users and the challenges of meeting the needs of a diverse public with a single design.

This object was donated by Henry Dreyfuss. It is credited Gift of Henry Dreyfuss.

Its dimensions are

L x W: 27.9 × 21.6 cm (11 in. × 8 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Questionnaire, Our Search for Symbols; Designed by Henry Dreyfuss Associates (United States); pint on paper; L x W: 27.9 × 21.6 cm (11 in. × 8 1/2 in.); Gift of Henry Dreyfuss; 1972-88-1-39

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318807732/ |title=Questionnaire, Our Search for Symbols |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=20 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>