Balance, Design, Products, Technology April 27, 2011

The Playlist: Herman Miller’s John Kim

In his role at Herman Miller, John Kim is responsible for helping communicate all the company does to build a better world. Find out what’s currently playing in this dad-to-be’s workspace. (P.S. We particularly like the piece of art he has hanging there. John’s brother-in-law Driscoll Reid had a hand in creating it.)

What do you listen to while you work? I listen to a lot of different stuff including NPR (even during the pledge drive—I know…that’s love), upbeat guitar-driven jazz like Wes Montgomery, something fun like LCD Soundsystem, and albums to which I know most of the words, like most of the Ted Leo and the Pharmacists or Wilco catalog. Also, my wife and I are expecting our first kid and we finally took the time to scour our iTunes catalog and make some fun mixes for the baby, so shuffling through the playlists have taken over lately.

How do you listen? If I’m home alone, I’ll listen to NPR on the radio or the iPod via an iPod dock. If I need quiet, I’ll listen through JVC noise-canceling headphones.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? I also enjoy Pandora, but I find that the selection gets a bit repetitive on the free version.

Does music influence your work? Yes, but not in a visual way. I think it just allows me to concentrate and get lost in my work.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? To stay on top of what’s new and good, I’ll get recommendations from my friend Brent and my friend Amanda, who is a music writer for the New York Times, Pitchfork, Spin and others. I’ve trusted her musical taste since middle school.