Each year Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum invites the public to express their views on what constitutes good design with the People's Design Award. Whether an everyday object, a design classic or an architectural landmark, design enthusiasts can submit nominations, participate in an active dialogue around the nominees, and select their favorite designs by visiting www.cooperhewitt.org (now through October 21, 2008).

The People's Design Award is part of Cooper-Hewitt's National Design Week, which will take place from October 19-25, 2008. To celebrate the important role that design plays in all aspects of daily life, the museum will offer FREE admission for all visitors and host a wide range of public programs, workshops and events, both at the museum and online.

To help kick off Design Week, Erin McCluskey, the museums Public Education Manager, picks some of her current favorites on Etsy, all good candidates for the People’s Design Award!

1. Ziptie Metal Ring by Metalnat

This is an awesome ring generating a lot of good comments on the People’s Design Award website. Wonderful to see an everyday object transformed into gorgeous wearable art! (Watch the video with Metalnat.)

2. Evil Twin Bracelet by Smashing

I love the idea of marking an evil twin with this clever bracelet. With the lettering sliding off the edge a bit it adds to the sense that perhaps the evil twin is just a bit demented as well.

3. Red Branches, letterpress notecards by 12fifteen

I love these note cards with the red ink branches and mustard yellow envelopes. There is really nothing better than letterpress.

4. Scene Stealers Jack and Diane by Sherrytruitt

My mom, always a wonderful gift giver, gave my dad a small frame with dry moss, a tiny house and figures to satisfy my dad’s lifetime goal of someday having a “piece of land.” There’s that great scene in Woody Allen’s Love and Death where a character carries around with him in his coat pocket a chunk of turf and says, “Someday I am going to build on it!” I love this little portable piece of scenery.

5. cashmere silk fingerless gloves by andAir

An ideal design for New York City – long enough to cover your fingers but open to allow you to pick up and run your Metrocard through the machine.

6. The market bag in Gunmetal Gray by moop

Great looking bag, ideal size for everything needed to get through the day (lunch, shoes, make-up, book, iPod, wallet, sunglasses, umbrella, phone, notebook, pens, tissue…)

7. Verona Wide Turtle Tunic Dress by ledthread

I like everything this Etsy seller has up, but I’m drawn to this tunic dress with its exaggerated collar, oversize seam details, and peach color.

If you liked this post, you might like our posts tagged with design and video. (hint, hint)

Go to People's Design Award and vote for and/or nominate your favorites. Let us know what you think is hot in the comments below!