Happy Monday! Jumpstart your week with our insider's guide to events in the design world. From must-see exhibitions to insightful lectures and the competitions you need to know about—here's the best of what's going on, right now. 

Monday

Yuxi Cao, A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains (2014)

The art of data

Start things off at an exhibition that has no shortage of compelling imagery. The Arbitrary Art of Numbers at the Made in NY Media Center questions the subjective nature of data visualizations through the exploratory work of seven new media artists. Among the standout projects is Yuxi Cao's distortion of an iconic 900-year-old Chinese painting by overlaying it with data of Beijing's present-day air quality levels. 

New York, NY - On view through January 17. 

Tuesday

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What defines great graphic design?

Celebrated designer Michael Bierut—the man behind Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign logo and numerous iconic brand identities??heads to the 92nd Street Y for a conversation with Fern Mallis about his new book, How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things, Explain Things, Make Things Look Better, Make People Laugh, Make People Cry, and (Every Once in a While) Change the World, a volume that is equal parts monograph, manual and manifesto. Find out more about his creative process and gather some insight into the day-to-day of design professionals. 

New York, NY - January 12th at 8:15 PM. 

Wednesday

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The evolution of hand tools

If you're around Washington D.C., don't miss a rare opportunity to tour the National Building Museum's tool collection. Feed your inner nerd with woodworking, sheet metal, and plaster work tools dating back to the early 19th century. 

Washington D.C. - January 13th at 5:30 PM.

Thursday

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Insights on the transition from designer to entrepreneur

Mathias Corea left a long career designing printed matter and plunged deep into the digital sphere when he left his day job to co-found the online portfolio platform for creative professionals, Behance, in 2006. Hear more about his journey and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. 

New York, NY - January 14th at 6:30 PM.

Friday

Percival Lafer, Lounge Chair and Ottoman (1970). Check out a preview of FOG Art + Design 2016 on Artsy. 

When design melds with art

The weather phenomenon that the Bay Area is known for becomes a metaphor for San Francisco's FOG Design + Art Fair—a platform highlighting the elusive boundaries between art and design. A host of international exhibitors will showcase prominent 20th century and contemporary work. 

San Francisco, CA - On view January 14-17. 

Saturday / Sunday

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Two major exhibitions come to a close at MoMA

The weekend will be a great time to catch a couple MoMA blockbusters, if you haven't already done so. We tend to bask in all the possibilities the internet age has given us, but is design in our technological era truly striving for democracy? That is the question at the heart of This Is for Everyone: Design Experiments for the Common Good, a deep-dive into the state of contemporary design and its promises. Another noteworthy exhibit is Making Music Modern: Design for Ear and Eye, exploring the many links between music and design throughout the 20th century. 

New York, NY - Both shows on view through January 18th. 

Upcoming Deadlines

January 15 - TechSAge Design Competition 2016

How can technology support healthy aging? Propose a product or system that focuses on fostering mobility, independence and an active, social lifestyle for those suffering from chronic illnesses and/or disabilities. 

January 15 - d3 Housing Tomorrow 2016

What will residential living in the near future look like? Submit your concepts for new approaches to housing—they may be realistic or a bit more fantastic, but should consider issues of sustainability. 

Plan Ahead

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IMM Cologne 2016 launches on January 22 and will be on view through the 24th. An extensive exhibitors list will showcase the best of furniture and interior design. Highlights this year will include the Pure Talents Contest and the Featured Editions exhibit, where designers collaborate on innovative installations with architects, artists and graphic designers.

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The Biomimicry Global Design Challenge asks you to solve a particular problem facing our food ecosystem today by drawing inspiration from a mechanism, process, pattern, or system already found in nature. Submissions are open through May 11th, but you'll be able to save on registration if you apply earlier.

Check out the Core77 Calendar for more design world events, competitions and exhibitions, or submit your own to be considered for our next Week in Design.