Here’s hoping the optimism of Girard’s design inspires you in this new year. Click here to download one of six free desktop wallpapers featuring “January” for your computer, mobile, or tablet device.

1. A must-see: “The Handmade Process Behind Your Eames Chair,” an insightful video taken in our manufacturing facility by Co.Design.

2. The launch of the George Nelson Foundation’s new website, created by Hello Design, at georgenelsonfoundation.org.

3. Yves Béhar’s keynote speech on why designers should love the design process via 99U.

4. Dwell’s Q&A about authentic design with Marj Mojzak, Herman Miller’s Director of Retail.

5. “Ray’s Displays: The Thoughtful Displays of Ray Eames” at the Archives of American Art blog.

6. The New York Times‘ interview with Hilda Longinotti, George Nelson’s former secretary and oftentimes furniture model (check her out alongside the Nelson Marshmallow Sofa in the article’s featured photo).

7. “The Wit and Wisdom of Alexander Girard” from Metropolis Magazine.

8. The can’t-be-missed photos in “LIFE With Charles and Ray Eames: The Simple Art of Beauty” at life.time.com.

9. This insightful interview at Mr. Porter with Jason Cohn, writer and co-director of Eames: The Architect and the Painter.

10. The Design and Architecture Crossword from the New York Times and Design Within Reach. (Here’s a hint for 95 Across.)

Photo: Francois Dischinger for Herman Miller / Eames Softpad Side Chairs, Eames Table Segmented Base

Image: “Peace on Earth” by Alexander Girard, available as holiday cards from Amazon.

1. This thoughtful interview with industrial designer Yves Béhar (creator of our SAYL chair) from Tastemakers@Google on YouTube.

2. “30 Eye-Catching Interiors Featuring The Iconic Eames Lounge Chair” at Freshome.

3. This tour of Vitamin, a design and marketing firm in Baltimore (via baltimore.citybizlist.com).

4. A look at how tech is creating workplaces everywhere — and shrinking the office — from USA TODAY.

5. “The Wit and Wisdom of Alexander Girard” at Metropolis Magazine.

6. Tips for converting space into a home office from Arizona Daily Star.

7. Back in March, we featured a post on Sinuous Guitars — and we’re glad to see Greg Opatik’s Eames-inspired instruments continuing to create buzz (via Rapid Growth).

8. “The 15 Things Charles and Ray Eames Teach Us” at DARE+.

9. Huffington Post’s photos of the George Nelson exhibit opening this weekend at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

10. Apartment Therapy’s coverage of our Alexander Girard exhibit at NeoCon 2012 (where we were very proud to be recognized with multiple awards).

Photo: Janel Laban for Apartment Therapy

1. “Alexander Girard” by Todd Oldham A massive and comprehensive monograph of the designer’s career, examining virtually every discipline in his prolific body of work. Written by designer Todd Oldham, who combed the extensive Girard archives and found new treasures and classics alike. Order one at Amazon.

2. Girard Alphabet Blocks Ideal for design aficionados both young and old, these distinctive blocks feature alphabets set in the Alexander Girard font collection from House Industries. Simultaneously a sharp, educational toy and stylish conversation piece, the 28-block set is made from replenishable Michigan-grown basswood with child-safe inks. Get them at House Industries.

3. PLYprints – New Sun Hand screen-printed with water-based inks on sustainably harvested maple plywood panels, the PLYprints are Girard classics. The 14″x14″ panels come ready to hang and will brighten any interior with their eco-friendly style. Get some sun at Modern Seed.

4. Girard Pillows in Retrospective, Red Girard’s vibrant, folk-inspired patterns invigorated the designs of his contemporaries (like the Eameses) while redefining textiles with form-emphasizing patterns and colors. Designed in 1952 for Herman Miller wallpaper, the distinctive Retrospective pattern returns as the perfect accent for any modern interior. Get them at Design Within Reach.

5. Girard Fonts For Girard, typography helped to spell out everything from pattern and fabric design to company rebranding. Presented by House Industries, Girard’s typefaces — Script, Sky, Sansusie, and Slab — are testament to the designer’s innate ability to seamlessly unite form and function, style and usability. Buy them at House Industries.

6. Girard Wooden Dolls Girard’s Wooden Dolls are a unique mix of decorative object and colorful toy. Drawing their aesthetics from Central American, Italian, and Eastern European culture, the dolls were originally created in 1963 for Girard’s Santa Fe home. Get dolled up at Design Within Reach.

*If you’re in New York City before July 1, purchase a Girard Wooden Doll at the Herman Miller Pop-Up Store in SoHo!

Photos: Linked to their sources within text

It was also nice to see the Girard silk screen for print that graces Lifework’s blog.

“We followed  Alexander Girard where he led us because we knew he had impeccable taste and incredible astuteness about space, color and pattern. He provided…emotional attachment.” That was DJ De Pree, Herman Miller’s founder. His relationship with Girard began in 1952 when the designer was hired to head the fabric and textile division. Over the next 20 years Girard’s work with Herman Miller brought him together with designers like the Eameses and George Nelson. His colorful textiles incorporated geometric patterns and  folk art-inspired images that gave life and vibrancy to the company’s furniture designs.

It seems fitting with Valentine’s Day fast approaching to take a look at his “Love Heart” (1972) and the “International Heart”(1967) Girard, who grew up in Florence, Italy,  said “the whole world must know about itself…The colors vary, their languages vary, but their spirits and aspirations are interwoven into one incredible rich humanity.” The ‘International Heart’ with the word love in 16 languages certainly speaks to that sentiment. In the 1967 Herman Miller catalog the “International Heart” is referred to as “Love Heart” and “A tribute of Love and Friendship to your wife, sweetheart, or customer.” A nice broad sweep there! The price? $2.25 for a 15 1/2 inch square.

While, for me, the singular “Love Heart” is a testament to Girard’s extraordinary skill as a designer. He has taken a simple graphic, boldly red heart and graphically imposed the word love inside it.

And to finish here are some inspiring words from Girard: “The hope for good design lies in those designers who believe in what they do, and who will only do what they believe … contrary to hearsay, it is possible to make a living that way.”  I think that rings true for all of us.

The famous photograph of the Herman Miller designers and founder DJ De Pree has always intrigued me (from left top row: Robert Probst,  DJ De Pree and Charles Eames. And seated, Alexander Girard, George Nelson and Ray Eames). I love the camaraderie captured. I’m sure it wasn’t always there! But for a split second a real joy was captured. I’ve always wondered who took the photograph? It’s a very interesting story. The official photographer that day was Judith Olausen (her image is above). She’s shot a lot for Herman Miller and I’ve been in email contact with her. Judith generously offered to scan the negs from the shoot. I’m excited to see these shots. I’ll post those all as soon as they come in!

According to our archivist, Linda Baron, the photographer who took the image of everyone laughing (below) is Melissa Brown. The story goes that there was a break in the shoot and they were all joking around when Melissa snapped this shot. I’m yet to track down Melissa (anyone got any leads there?)