Hello Human & Lyle Gallery

Traditionally, the establishment has dictated what qualifies as art, defining what is marketable or collectible across disciplines — and the design industry has been no exception. Over the past decades, the boundaries have steadily blurred, making space for a broader, more inclusive understanding of art. Yet, the weight of that tradition is still felt.

OUTSIDE/IN, the new design exhibition presented by Hello Human and Lyle Gallery during NYCxDesign 2025, challenges that legacy. Featuring works from 12 independent artists and designers, the show draws inspiration from the Outsider Art Movement—but with a critical awareness of its past limitations. OUTSIDE/IN looks at the idea of “outsider” through a design lens. Here, it isn’t a label imposed on the outside; it’s a self-defined identity that values innovation, diversity, and community.

The exhibition showcases a new generation of designers who are reshaping the industry from their unique vantage points. Each piece in the show reflects design as a vehicle for transformation—culturally, emotionally, and politically. Design norms are upended through material experimentation, heritage craft, radical accessibility, and personal narrative.

“At both Lyle Gallery and Hello Human, we’re committed to platforming voices often overlooked by traditional gatekeepers in art and design,” expresses Lin Tyrpien, Founder of Lyle Gallery. “This show is about redefining what excellence looks like in design—rooted in identity, storytelling, and innovation, not just institutional validation.” 

The exhibition is a collaborative curatorial effort with Hello Human, a community-focused PR incubator with a focus on highlighting underrepresented creative talent. “OUTSIDE/IN is our way of celebrating that space between visibility and erasure—showing that when outsiders come together, they become insiders in their own right,” tells Jenny Nguyen, Founder of Hello Human. 

The Outsider Art Movement engages with the concept of the exhibition by being rethought rather than emulated: “We approached it as a historical starting point to examine critically,” they explain. Pulling away from the elitist and ableist connotations that the concept of “outsider art” can carry, Jenny and Lin offer a new reading of the term “outsider.” “For us, being an outsider isn’t about lack or deficiency — it’s about independence, radical thinking, and forging your own path,” they state. And OUTSIDE/IN celebrates that spirit.

The idea behind the exhibition came from experiencing the feeling firsthand. “We connected around the idea that you can feel like an outsider even years into your career, and yet when you find others who share that feeling, a true community forms,” details Jenny. Both professionals share the same interest in deeply personal, story-driven works, often by artists and designers who deserve greater visibility. “Our curatorial instincts were incredibly aligned from the start, and selecting the works felt almost effortless,” she continues. 

The works on display reflect diverse creative journeys and contributions to design, exploring themes of individuality, access, self-expression, and narrative. From furniture crafted with unexpected materials to objects deeply rooted in cultural heritage, these pieces demonstrate that being an “outsider” can spark remarkable innovation.

“We hope OUTSIDE/IN reminds the design world that the most urgent, transformative work often comes from the margins,” describes Lin. “Since 2020, the push toward broader representation in design has lost a lot of momentum, but it’s more necessary than ever,” she adds. “Our goal with this show is to carve out more space for designers whose stories and perspectives might otherwise be overlooked.” 

OUTSIDE/IN is not just an exhibition; it’s a conversation about access, visibility, and cultural belonging in design. It’s about moving beyond traditional systems — taking initiative and building new platforms that challenge who and what gets to belong.