Furniture to Jerseys, a Passion for Design Connects It All

We’re passionate about design. Whether it’s ergonomic seating, graphic design, or something for our employees. We think about it; we design it–it’s part of who we are.

We’re also pretty passionate about cycling. So, in 1999, when a group of avid cyclists, including our current CEO Brian Walker, began discussing the idea of creating a special Herman Miller bike jersey, design quickly entered the discussion.

Since then, nine Herman Miller jerseys have been created. And much like our picnic posters, each designer had their own theme. Inspiration came from bike components and accessories, Herman Miller products, diabetes awareness, and even beet juice. Each one was designed to be eye-catching, because when you’re on the road, the last thing you want to do is blend in.

Designing the jerseys were always a fun project, but clothing was a new experience. “The tricky thing is to create one design that looks as good on a [size] small as it does on a XXL,” said graphic designer Martin Burch, who designed the first several jerseys.

The jerseys have become a part of the Herman Miller spirit. Our creative director, Steve Frykholm, put it best, “It’s fun to see someone wearing one on the road. It’s like seeing one of our trucks, it gets you kind of excited.”

If you’re in the West Michigan area, come join us for the Herman Miller Grand Cycle Classic. You’re guaranteed to see a few of our jerseys on the course.