108 Years in 108 Seconds

To celebrate the launch of WHY Magazine, we asked animators Part of a Bigger Plan to answer the big question: Why has Herman Miller thrived for 108 years? Their engaging response joins other stories presented on WHY to reveal something of the depth and breadth of Herman Miller.


Written by: The Editors

Video by: Part of a Bigger Plan

Why Design

108 Years in 108 Seconds

Learn why Herman Miller has thrived for over 108 years.

At Herman Miller we think, learn and communicate through design. It is the language through which we share new ideas, address problems and help people to do great things. Before we decide what we do and how to do it, our conversations about design always begin with the question “why?”. It is in this spirit of enquiry that we offer WHY, a new digital platform that explores the stories behind what we do at Herman Miller. Each is told with the help of a talented roster of writers, artists, illustrators, photographers and videographers.

For our launch, we asked Dutch animators Part of a Bigger Plan to answer, in just 108 seconds, the question of why Herman Miller has remained a design leader for over 108 years. To their condensed view of the central role of design at Herman Miller, we add perspective on the timeless quality of good design.

At Herman Miller design is never just about a finished product. It is a narrative that extends from the conceptual thinking that informs a designer’s vision to the people it touches and the places it transforms. We look forward to sharing our stories with you. 

“I have never met a designer who was retained to keep things the same as they were.”

- George Nelson