A look inside Herman Miller’s archives
When word that Yves Behar was working on a new chair for Herman Miller reached the Wallpaper* offices, we sped across the pond to the manufacturer's HQ in Michigan to find out more. There, we not only discovered the chair in question - the Golden Gate Bridge-inspired 'SAYL' (see our October issue) - but a remarkable archive of original design drawings for the now ubiquitous Eames Lounge Chair, alongside George Nelson's manifestos and vintage advertising artwork.
A more prestigious, and historically rich, chair manufacturer would be hard to find: Herman Miller's reverential relationship towards its designers has helped put industrial design on the map. With no internal design team, the company chooses its creative talent carefully and nurtures it over time. 'It's the designer's vision we're striving for,' says Don Goeman, Herman Miller's executive president. 'But that is a responsibility as much as an opportunity. The designer is given the reigns, but if the vision is not right, the team realises they are not being pulled in the right direction.'
Another treasure we discovered on our rifle through the archives was a 1956 film. It shows the iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman being assembled by Herman Miller worker, Dick Hoffman.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Inside Jack Whitten’s contribution to American contemporary art
As Jack Whitten exhibition ‘Speedchaser’ opens at Hauser & Wirth, London, and before a major retrospective at MoMA opens next year, we explore the American artist's impact
By Finn Blythe Published
-
One to Watch: Family Project’s ‘furniture friends’ are elegant and humorous with lasting emotional value
Family Project, founded by Francesco Paini, is a London-based design practice drawn to human connection, creating portraiture through furniture and injecting artful expressions into interior spaces
By Tianna Williams Published
-
A Corfu house balances local vernacular and 21st-century minimalism
Corfu House, a sensitive and minimalist holiday home, has been recently completed on the Greek island as a collaboration between architects Tony Wynbourne, Georgios Apostolopoulos and engineer Makis Gisdakis
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Herman Miller relaunches iconic Hot Dog Picnic Poster
Herman Miller's 1973 Hot Dog Picnic Poster is a striking screen-print design that commemorates the American furniture brand’s long-established company culture
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Industrial Facility's Powerbox battery for Herman Miller is a power solution that fulfils agility
Powerbox was designed by Industrial Facility for Herman Miller as a portable power solution that offers up to 8 hours of charge for a laptop and smartphone
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Gabriel Tan’s modular furniture for Herman Miller is designed for interaction
Gabriel Tan’s debut collection for Herman Miller features the ‘Luva’ sofa and ‘Cyclade’ coffee tables
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
Herman Miller Watermelon poster captures the essence of summer
The iconic Herman Miller Watermelon poster is reissued, offering an abstract take on the popular summer fruit designed by Steve Frykholm in 1971 to promote the company's annual picnics
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
Herman Miller presents Alexander Girard posters from his panels designs
You can now buy Alexander Girard posters, inspired by his decorative panels, thanks to a new Herman Miller collection
By Pei-Ru Keh Published