Herman Miller’s Twist LED task light, designed by Yves Béhar from fuseproject, has received the “Spark!” award, the pinnacle of recognition among four levels of honors—”Spark!” Gold, Silver and Bronze–in the SparkAwards international design competition.
Watch this video to hear Yves talk about the design and innovation behind Twist.
Note: This is the fourth in a series about Herman Miller’s Programmable Environments (PE) initiative. To read the first post, see “Getting Buildings and People In Sync.” Second post: “Cut Electrical Use, Get ‘Stimulused,’ and Earn LEED Credits.” Third post: “Energy Manager Saves Energy, Optimizes Real Estate, Cuts Costs.”
According to Always Building, Herman Miller’s book about PE, “To achieve programmable environments, we think about a digital as well as physical dimension of space.” Integrating the digital dimension can make a building smarter, more efficient, and responsive to the people who use it.
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Known for his iconic textile patterns and colors, Alexander Girard brought a new dimension of modern design to Herman Miller in the fabrics he designed during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. One well-known design is “Daisy Face,” a screen-print created for the Action Office system in 1972.
In this video, hear what Bob Guerin, of Propp + Guerin Design, says about the three-dimensional “Daisy Face” sculpture outside Herman Miller’s Los Angeles showroom. It’s another way we’ve harmonized the details of design with the natural world.
How do we balance using our resources to earn a profit while doing it responsibly? At Herman Miller, we look to our statement of corporate values called Things That Matter. One of the nine is called “A Better World.”
Our third annual Better World Report talks about how we’re trying to live up to our Better World values—advocating for the environment, embracing inclusiveness, fostering well-being, and serving our communities. Read it for a look at our progress so far.
And the zero? It graces the cover of the report because getting to a zero operational footprint by 2020 is such a big deal for us. We’re proud to say that we’re 83.5% of the way there. For the full story, check out our video “Zero is hero.”
Note: This is the third in a series. To read the first post, see “Getting Buildings and People In Sync.” For the second post, “Cut Electrical Use, Get ‘Stimulused,’ and Earn LEED Credits.”
What if someone invented a simple, affordable device you quickly attach to your car to save you gas? Genius, right?
Well then, check this out. It’s Herman Miller’s new Energy Manager—a simple, affordable device you quickly attach to your Herman Miller systems furniture (new or retrofit) to save you electrical energy, 24/7.
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With its dramatic bowstring wood trusses, curved walls, and freestanding forms, Herman Miller’s Los Angeles showroom epitomizes Herman Miller’s design legacy—right down to the details.
Check out how this video captures the extensive level of detail and craft—in both the architecture and the products—that create a dynamic spatial flow and enhance the natural beauty of the materials in the space. Then come see for yourself. We’re pretty sure you’ll be delighted.
When Nancy, my spouse, and I were married, seventeen years ago, we asked that any gifts be donations to community non-profits.
A few friends gave us presents anyway. Ben is an architect and former Herman Miller salesperson. (He and Nancy worked together at Herman Miller in the late 1980’s.) Ben’s carefully wrapped package was large, long, and narrow. It wasn’t a blender. It was an Eames plywood leg splint.
Charles and Ray Eames developed the splint for the Navy during World War II. It was the first application of a wood molding technology that the Eameses pioneered. It led to numerous Herman Miller chairs, including the signature Eames molded plywood chair.
The splint is simple and functional, yet highly considered. It is a powerful statement concerning innovation and design. Ben, our friend, understood why Nancy and I admired and respected the Eameses. Their ideas challenge. Their ideals inspire. Ben knew that his wedding gift would have special significance.
Today, the plywood splint is an important part of our art collection. A strong and striking object, it is guaranteed to generate interest and discussion. What was created in the 1940’s to treat an injured leg continues to celebrate good design. It also evokes fond memories of what was, for Nancy and me, a happy and special day.
As head of Herman Miller’s creative crew, Steve Frykholm has shaped the company’s image for nearly 40 years and won plenty of recognition for it. But his love of poster making began with a stint in Aba, Nigeria, where he worked in the Peace Corps. The journey his posters took eventually landed them in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
The Baltimore Convention Center was the location for NeoCon East—the design exposition and conference for the Mid-Atlantic design community—October 28 and 29. It’s where Herman Miller showcased an array of recently introduced products designed to promote both energy efficiency and flexibility.
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