After nearly four years of regular posts, written and illustrated to offer delight, this is the final Discover entry. We thank you for lending us your eyes and hope that we’ve been successful in sharing what inspires us and, in doing so, have inspired and delighted you.
We encourage you to train your gaze toward our Lifework (if you haven’t already made it a place you visit regularly). It will continue our legacy of fine writing and beautiful images, and it will carry on two features that have been a mainstay of Discover: Eye Delight (compelling images with a curious twist) and Sighted (our products in interesting environs).
Nearly all of the furniture in the Ohio State University’s Knowlton Hall is on wheels. The mobility of pieces like Herman Miller’s Caper Chair encourages spontaneous collaboration throughout the building, which serves as both an architectural marvel and a learning space for students of the university’s Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture. Photo: Ian Allen
Vintage and contemporary designs merge in this eclectic New York City home studio. Photo: Nick Keppol
Architecture and design firm Gensler’s downtown Chicago office in the Louis Sullivan Building stays true to the look and style of the iconic architect’s work. An open work plan and light, agile seating encourages flexibility and collaboration. Photo: Gensler
A view of London from the contemporary digs of Actis, made more comfortable thanks to the Aeron Chair. Photo: Gensler
A pair of purple Eames lounge chairs and a Central Park view from the Manhattan penthouse of architects Billie Tsien and Tod Williams. Photo: Bryan Derballa
The New York skyline from a corner conference room of the law firm Brown Rudnick. Photo: Gensler
Tired of your desk? At Autodesk you can pull up a SAYL Chair and spend some time working in a community lounge. Photo: Gensler
A classic Herman Miller coffee table and lounge chair make an appearance in this Paris home, once a convent in the heart of the city. Photo: Louis Desrosier
Matching is overrated; an Eames chair with a wood dowel base sits among an artful selection of several designs. Photo: Amy Azzarito
A beautifully renovated home nestled in the wooded hills of Marin County, California, complete with an Eames Lounge and Ottoman. Photo: Bruce Damonte
In 1951, Charles and Ray Eames held a tea ceremony at their Pacific Palisades home with a whimsical mix of guests including sculptor Isamu Noguchi, poet Iris Tree, and actors Charlie Chaplin and Ford Rainey. Japanese actress and singer Shirley Yamaguchi participated in the event as a student. The tea master, Shizuye Sosei Matsumoto, was teaching Yamaguchi how to perform the tea ceremony for the film “East Is East.” Like everything done by the Eameses, the ceremony was a spirited artistic statement—a singular experience impossible to replicate.
The singularity of the experience recalls the Japanese saying “Ichi-go ichi-ye,” which in essence means “one time, one meeting.” Eames Demetrios, grandson of Charles Eames and head of the Eames Foundation, took this phrase to heart when considering a reenactment of the original ceremony. He and members of the Eames Foundation, tasked with preserving and restoring the Eameses’ home, thought reenacting the ceremony would be a compelling way to raise money for repairing the home’s floors.
The original ceremony gave the Eameses not only the chance to host—a skill they excelled at—but also to be inventive. Given the home’s high ceilings, Charles Eames hung a horizontal panel from the ceiling to give the space a sense of intimacy. Mitsuhiko Sen—architect and brother of Urasenke tea master Hounsai Daisosho—observed this and later used the concept when designing tea houses in his native Japan.
The Eameses also used a small table they had designed and had just been introduced by Herman Miller in 1950. Just 10 inches tall, the tables provided an individualized setting for each guest as they knelt during the ceremony. Today, these Eames Wire Base Low Tables are still made and sold by Herman Miller.
In its effort to recreate the feeling and spirit of the original event, the Eames Foundation invited Mrs. Matsumoto, the tea master from the 1951 ceremony, to preside over the event. Five of Mrs. Matsumoto’s students served tea, and her niece, Etsuko Ota, performed the ceremony.
In another nod to the original ceremony, Mrs. Matsumoto and her students used the bowls and utensils from the 1951 ceremony for the event. Eames Demetrios was served first with Charlie Chaplin’s bowl—a copy of the Ninsei black bamboo motif made by Myuhou.
Held at the Eames Home on March 10, 2012, the twelve attendees included patrons of the Eames Foundation and members of the design community. An anonymous donor granted funds for the foundation to invite individuals passionate about the Eameses but unable to afford tickets to the event. Beyond raising significant funds, the Foundation staged a unique event that both respected the past and embraced the future.
Herman Miller Collection by Linda Powell, 1989 For more than 15 years, Linda Powell helped define the visual identity of Herman Miller as a member of the company’s graphic design team. Her creative work, like this poster promoting an exhibition of classic Herman Miller designs, garnered Powell multiple awards and prompted the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum to include her work in its collection. A passionate educator, she went on to work with aspiring graphic designers as a professor at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Herman Miller Fabric Collection by George Tscherny, 1953 When George Tscherny joined George Nelson & Associates in 1953, he was an assistant and the low man in the office. A few years later, Tscherny was named the head of the graphics department and given a staff of his own. A talented designer, Tscherny proved himself by challenging commonly held notions of advertising furniture. This ad, for the Herman Miller Fabric Collection, is one noted example and illustrates Tscherny’s belief that, “Design communicates best when reduced to its essential elements.”
Herman Miller Advertisement by Don Ervin, 1961 Don Ervin was a multitalented artist who began his career at George Nelson & Associates, first as a designer and then later as the office’s Director of Graphic Design. Ervin created many well-known logos, ads, and posters—including this one, an assemblage of classic Herman Miller products in black silhouettes. Its style is often replicated in advertisements today.
Herman Miller Advertisement by Don Ervin, 1961 Don Ervin was a multitalented artist who began his career at George Nelson & Associates, first as a designer and then later as the office’s Director of Graphic Design. Ervin created many well-known logos, ads, and posters—including this one, an assemblage of classic Herman Miller products in black silhouettes. Its style is often replicated in advertisements today.
Chadwick Modular Seating by Steve Frykholm, 1981 Straight lines, neat arcs, wandering serpentines, loops, full circles—with just five simple components, the Chadwick Modular Seating could be arranged in nearly any shape. A fact made evident in this promotional poster designed by Steve Frykholm, Herman Miller’s first internal graphic designer.
Sketch by Bill Stumpf, 1989 Parodying the kinds of uncomfortable chairs he spent his career improving, designer Bill Stumpf doodled this sketch on the back of a napkin. Quickly snatched up by graphic designer Steve Frykholm, the drawing became a poster. Stumpf was widely recognized as a pioneer of ergonomic design and a long-time collaborator with Herman Miller. As co-creator of the Aeron Chair, he helped transform the very concept of sitting.
Sweet Corn by Steve Frykholm, 1970 Steve Frykholm joined Herman Miller in 1970 as the company’s first internal graphic designer. Two weeks into the job, he was asked by an executive to make a poster announcing the company’s annual employee picnic. In a moment of inspiration, Frykholm put an ear of corn in his mouth and asked a colleague to make a quick sketch. From that, he created this poster, which won an American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) award.
Action Office 2 by John Massey, 1969 "A design must satisfy the problem it was conceived to solve,” explains graphic designer John Massey, “but can achieve a life of its own when the creator imbues it with a spirit.” This poster, which uses color and form to express the optimism and flexibility of an innovative product, is one such example. Massey received the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) medal in 1994.
Eames Hang-It-All by Craig Redman and Karl Maier Despite living in different parts of the world, design team Craig & Karl collaborate daily on works recognized for their bold yet thoughtful nature. For Then X Ten, the duo opted to create a split portrait of Charles and Ray, explaining, “They were a creative force together—Charles in a bowtie and Ray with a ribbon in her hair. The Hang-It-All is integrated into the artwork, and while you don't see the whole product, you know what it is.”
Eames Molded Plywood Chair by Eda Akaltun Under the careful eye of Eda Akaltun, old photos and other ephemera become detailed collages that invoke a sense of nostalgia. While working on this piece, Akaltun found inspiration in the playful nature that Charles and Ray Eames applied to design. “Together they created the Molded Plywood Chair, which works well in any environment.” As Akaltun explains, “The four interconnected rooms depict the chair in different contexts and, I hope, capture the couple’s playful spirit.”
Nelson Coconut Chair by Jonathan Zawada Employing a range of approaches, Jonathan Zawada is a graphic designer whose style is ever evolving. Finding his inspiration in the “simple beauty” of the Coconut Chair, Zawada explains, “I wanted my design to draw attention to that form. I also wanted to pay homage to the directness and simplicity of Herman Miller posters from the past, while updating the visual language for an audience that lives in a world of emoticons.”
Eames Lounge and Ottoman by Petra Mrzyk & Jean-François Moriceau Designers Mrzyk & Moriceau are becoming notorious for their mischievous black-and-white line drawings. With amorphous figures stacked atop one another and sandwiched between two Eames Lounge Chairs, their Then X Ten poster design certainly lives up to their reputation. When asked for explanation, the artists declined, stating, “We don't like to explain our work, we prefer to let people imagine what they want.”
Herman Miller Initials by Emily Forgot Emily Forgot (the curious moniker of graphic artist Emily Alston) embraces the odd, the everyday, and occasionally the surreal to create images that surprise. Forgot’s idea for Then X Ten began with typography: “I wanted to create something familiar and nostalgic, but with letters at its core. The final design is subtle: The 'HM' is made of office panels and inhabited by surreal elements, office characters, and, of course, beautiful furniture by Herman Miller.”
Nelson Marshmallow Sofa by Keiichi Tananmi Keiichi Tanaami is an illustrator and graphic designer widely credited with introducing psychedelic and pop art to his native Japan. Creating a poster for the Marshmallow Sofa, Tanaami describes the iconic design as floating against a backdrop of “colorful creatures wriggling in a chaotic modern world.” And he notes that the snake woman relaxing on the sofa “seems to be having fun.”
Eames Walnut Stool by Sanghon Kim A self-described jack-of-all-trades, Sanghon Kim moves seamlessly between media in search of a strong visual language. A journey, in this case, that transports the viewer to a fantastical forest created from the repeated forms of the Walnut Stools—and home for Walnut Boy, “A character inspired by one of my daughter’s drawings and a symbol of the joyful spirit of the Eameses.”
Aeron Chair by Kam Tang The work of Kam Tang is typified by meticulous attention to detail and constant reinvention. For this piece, Tang chose to convey the lightness and transparency of the Aeron Chair. “A departure from the padding of traditional office chairs, Aeron’s Pellicle material was like a new dawn; I wanted to capture that in my design by taking the chair out of the office and transforming it into a landscape.”
Eames Molded Plastic Chair by Felix Pfaffli Graphic designer Felix Pfaffli can’t be held to a single style, instead he prefers experimenting and exploring new methods. Asked to create a poster for the Eames Molded Plastic Chair, Pfaffli decided on an simple approach that focuses the viewer’s attention on the form of the chair. “I realized that from a certain direction that I could transform the chair into the body of a beautiful woman with the addition of just three simple shapes.”
Setu by Genevieve Gauckler Genevieve Gauckler is a creator of eccentric characters, which she enjoys placing in seemingly everyday situations—in this case, sitting in a Setu Chair. “I began by making some 'serious' drafts, but realized I was in danger of being seriously boring, so I decided to sit one of my characters in the chair.”
Look closely, notice anything? Artist Liu Bolin hides in the open, camouflaging himself so he disappears into an environment. Photo: Liu Bolin
Heights don’t bother photographer Alexander Remnev, who routinely climbs tall buildings without a harness to snap dizzying photos like this one. Photo: Alexander Remnev
A young Buddhist monk demonstrates his agility in Hunan Province, China. Photo: Steve McCurry
The stacked ice bubbles of Abraham Lake in Alberta, Canada, are a rare phenomenon caused by methane gas naturally released by the lake’s plant life. Photo: Chip Phillips
The world’s smallest deer, the pudu, is just 16 inches tall and weighs 20 pounds. This baby, only one month old, is even smaller. Photo: Jose Luis Saavedra
This runaway tent was able to take flight thanks to some creative photography and a bit of digital manipulation. Photo: Laurent Chehere
Only on close inspection does this swirling, iridescent sphere reveal itself to be an ordinary soap bubble. Photo: Jason Tozer
Every morning, the giraffes of this Kenyan estate help themselves to a table of breakfast treats. Photo: The Safari Collection
The last, foggy remains of night cling to the trees high up in the Polish mountains. Photo: Boguslaw Strempel
New, reusable packaging holds the Y-Towers from their manufacture offsite until they’re used on the SAYL Chair assembly line, eliminating handling steps and material waste.
Advancements come in all shapes and sizes. Some are big ideas, like the suspension material of the Aeron Chair that replaced the foam and fabric typical to so many office chairs. Others are smaller advancements, resulting in an improved process, or, in this case, a better way to build a chair.
A recent advancement on our SAYL Chair assembly line is saving time, money, and nearly 25,000 pounds of packaging materials a year. How? By developing reusable packaging, we’ve eliminated handling steps and material waste. Previously, the Y-Towers of the SAYL Chair were bundled, boxed, wrapped, and shipped to the facility with the assembly line. Upon arrival, the towers were unboxed, placed on a cart, and moved to the line. Now the Y-Towers simply arrive ready for assembly.
It’s part of our culture to look for advancements, whether they’re the Aeron Chair or a new way to package parts.
When Ray Eames entered this textile design in a 1947 competition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, she titled the print “Brown and Black Free Shapes on a White Ground.”
One might find the title a bit uninspiring, in light of the whimsical, other worldly creatures vacillating across the fabric. But considering Ray’s background in Expressionist painting—she trained with Hans Hofmann—the title makes perfect sense. Ray would have been more concerned with the basics of shape, color, and scale. And, perhaps, she would have expected others to be more impressed with her execution of these elements than with the vibrancy and character of her “Sea Things”— the name by which the textile is commonly known.
Whether you are compelled by the brilliance of her abstract composition or by her fanciful creatures, one thing is clear. “Sea Things” is yet another example of the creative, playful, and colorful mind of Ray Eames.
Herman Miller Collection by Linda Powell, 1989 For more than 15 years, Linda Powell helped define the visual identity of Herman Miller as a member of the company’s graphic design team. Her creative work, like this poster promoting an exhibition of classic Herman Miller designs, garnered Powell multiple awards and prompted the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum to include her work in its collection. A passionate educator, she went on to work with aspiring graphic designers as a professor at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Herman Miller Fabric Collection by George Tscherny, 1953 When George Tscherny joined George Nelson & Associates in 1953, he was an assistant and the low man in the office. A few years later, Tscherny was named the head of the graphics department and given a staff of his own. A talented designer, Tscherny proved himself by challenging commonly held notions of advertising furniture. This ad, for the Herman Miller Fabric Collection, is one noted example and illustrates Tscherny’s belief that, “Design communicates best when reduced to its essential elements.”
Herman Miller Advertisement by Don Ervin, 1961 Don Ervin was a multitalented artist who began his career at George Nelson & Associates, first as a designer and then later as the office’s Director of Graphic Design. Ervin created many well-known logos, ads, and posters—including this one, an assemblage of classic Herman Miller products in black silhouettes. Its style is often replicated in advertisements today.
Herman Miller Advertisement by Don Ervin, 1961 Don Ervin was a multitalented artist who began his career at George Nelson & Associates, first as a designer and then later as the office’s Director of Graphic Design. Ervin created many well-known logos, ads, and posters—including this one, an assemblage of classic Herman Miller products in black silhouettes. Its style is often replicated in advertisements today.
Chadwick Modular Seating by Steve Frykholm, 1981 Straight lines, neat arcs, wandering serpentines, loops, full circles—with just five simple components, the Chadwick Modular Seating could be arranged in nearly any shape. A fact made evident in this promotional poster designed by Steve Frykholm, Herman Miller’s first internal graphic designer.
Sketch by Bill Stumpf, 1989 Parodying the kinds of uncomfortable chairs he spent his career improving, designer Bill Stumpf doodled this sketch on the back of a napkin. Quickly snatched up by graphic designer Steve Frykholm, the drawing became a poster. Stumpf was widely recognized as a pioneer of ergonomic design and a long-time collaborator with Herman Miller. As co-creator of the Aeron Chair, he helped transform the very concept of sitting.
Sweet Corn by Steve Frykholm, 1970 Steve Frykholm joined Herman Miller in 1970 as the company’s first internal graphic designer. Two weeks into the job, he was asked by an executive to make a poster announcing the company’s annual employee picnic. In a moment of inspiration, Frykholm put an ear of corn in his mouth and asked a colleague to make a quick sketch. From that, he created this poster, which won an American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) award.
Action Office 2 by John Massey, 1969 "A design must satisfy the problem it was conceived to solve,” explains graphic designer John Massey, “but can achieve a life of its own when the creator imbues it with a spirit.” This poster, which uses color and form to express the optimism and flexibility of an innovative product, is one such example. Massey received the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) medal in 1994.
Eames Hang-It-All by Craig Redman and Karl Maier Despite living in different parts of the world, design team Craig & Karl collaborate daily on works recognized for their bold yet thoughtful nature. For Then X Ten, the duo opted to create a split portrait of Charles and Ray, explaining, “They were a creative force together—Charles in a bowtie and Ray with a ribbon in her hair. The Hang-It-All is integrated into the artwork, and while you don't see the whole product, you know what it is.”
Eames Molded Plywood Chair by Eda Akaltun Under the careful eye of Eda Akaltun, old photos and other ephemera become detailed collages that invoke a sense of nostalgia. While working on this piece, Akaltun found inspiration in the playful nature that Charles and Ray Eames applied to design. “Together they created the Molded Plywood Chair, which works well in any environment.” As Akaltun explains, “The four interconnected rooms depict the chair in different contexts and, I hope, capture the couple’s playful spirit.”
Nelson Coconut Chair by Jonathan Zawada Employing a range of approaches, Jonathan Zawada is a graphic designer whose style is ever evolving. Finding his inspiration in the “simple beauty” of the Coconut Chair, Zawada explains, “I wanted my design to draw attention to that form. I also wanted to pay homage to the directness and simplicity of Herman Miller posters from the past, while updating the visual language for an audience that lives in a world of emoticons.”
Eames Lounge and Ottoman by Petra Mrzyk & Jean-François Moriceau Designers Mrzyk & Moriceau are becoming notorious for their mischievous black-and-white line drawings. With amorphous figures stacked atop one another and sandwiched between two Eames Lounge Chairs, their Then X Ten poster design certainly lives up to their reputation. When asked for explanation, the artists declined, stating, “We don't like to explain our work, we prefer to let people imagine what they want.”
Herman Miller Initials by Emily Forgot Emily Forgot (the curious moniker of graphic artist Emily Alston) embraces the odd, the everyday, and occasionally the surreal to create images that surprise. Forgot’s idea for Then X Ten began with typography: “I wanted to create something familiar and nostalgic, but with letters at its core. The final design is subtle: The 'HM' is made of office panels and inhabited by surreal elements, office characters, and, of course, beautiful furniture by Herman Miller.”
Nelson Marshmallow Sofa by Keiichi Tananmi Keiichi Tanaami is an illustrator and graphic designer widely credited with introducing psychedelic and pop art to his native Japan. Creating a poster for the Marshmallow Sofa, Tanaami describes the iconic design as floating against a backdrop of “colorful creatures wriggling in a chaotic modern world.” And he notes that the snake woman relaxing on the sofa “seems to be having fun.”
Eames Walnut Stool by Sanghon Kim A self-described jack-of-all-trades, Sanghon Kim moves seamlessly between media in search of a strong visual language. A journey, in this case, that transports the viewer to a fantastical forest created from the repeated forms of the Walnut Stools—and home for Walnut Boy, “A character inspired by one of my daughter’s drawings and a symbol of the joyful spirit of the Eameses.”
Aeron Chair by Kam Tang The work of Kam Tang is typified by meticulous attention to detail and constant reinvention. For this piece, Tang chose to convey the lightness and transparency of the Aeron Chair. “A departure from the padding of traditional office chairs, Aeron’s Pellicle material was like a new dawn; I wanted to capture that in my design by taking the chair out of the office and transforming it into a landscape.”
Eames Molded Plastic Chair by Felix Pfaffli Graphic designer Felix Pfaffli can’t be held to a single style, instead he prefers experimenting and exploring new methods. Asked to create a poster for the Eames Molded Plastic Chair, Pfaffli decided on an simple approach that focuses the viewer’s attention on the form of the chair. “I realized that from a certain direction that I could transform the chair into the body of a beautiful woman with the addition of just three simple shapes.”
Setu by Genevieve Gauckler Genevieve Gauckler is a creator of eccentric characters, which she enjoys placing in seemingly everyday situations—in this case, sitting in a Setu Chair. “I began by making some 'serious' drafts, but realized I was in danger of being seriously boring, so I decided to sit one of my characters in the chair.”
Bill Stumpf once said, “I know this sounds terribly self serving, but I design for myself. Who else am I going to know better than me?”
The outcome of Stumpf’s self-described “selfishness”? Empathic designs that can help everyone feel better as they work.
Stumpf and design partner Jeff Weber turned their own problems with the lack of physical harmony between themselves and their computers into a solution that benefits people who sit all day at a computer. The resulting designs—the Embody Chair and the Envelop Desk—work together to support the wrists, back, and eyes as the sitter moves through a range of postures. This concept, which we call concordance, helps people stay healthy and aligned as they work.
Asked how to measure a designer’s impact on society, Bruce Burdick, a designer himself, replied: “A designer’s influence on public opinion comes down to how the public utilizes their designs. They influence people’s perceptions of what a car, a desk, your clothing, or your house can be.” To this he added, “It’s the highest order of design to squeeze function and pleasure together so tightly that a person cannot separate them.”
Burdick established his reputation by pioneering the use of computers in exhibition design. Two of his exhibits, one on nutrition and the other on economics, are on permanent display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
For Herman Miller, Burdick challenged the very notion of what people thought office furniture could be. By designing a flexible system based on a central rail, Burdick allowed various elements—display, storage, work surfaces, and ergonomic tools—to be arranged and rearranged, creating infinite configurations and responding to individual ways of working. Named the Burdick Group, the system was ahead of its time and earned Burdick recognition from the Institute of Business Designers, the Industrial Designers Society of America, and Time magazine.
“If your goal is to build a better stool, where do you start?” That was the question designer Carol Catalano asked herself. It was when she looked down and noticed her own entwined fingers that she found the answer.
Once inspiration had struck, Catalano quickly landed on the design the of the Cappelli Stool. Using two identical laminated wood pieces with interlocking “fingers,” Catalano found she could create a stable seat. No fasteners required.
“From the beginning,” Catalano says, “the form of the stool was a simple curve that we kept refining until it was comfortable and beautiful.”
Catalano’s ingenuity paid off, earning her silver prize at the International Furniture Design Competition in Asahikawa, Japan. Hers was one of only eight awards given, and was the only American design selected from more than 700 entries worldwide.
Fifty years ago, Alexander Girard, the head of Herman Miller’s Textile Division from 1952 to 1973, introduced this playful design and called it “January.” Girard’s distinctive combination of color, originality, and spirit came from his love of folk art, his world travels, and his delightfully curious personality.
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.
Designer Yves Bèhar isn’t kidding when he says, “Every molecule in the SAYL chair had to work harder.” To achieve Bèhar’s vision of an eco-dematerialized design, every piece of SAYL was examined, sculpted, and hollowed out to use the least amount of material without compromising strength. Was it successful? Well, SAYL survived having a 300-pound sack dropped on it—multiple times.
The Herman Miller Test Lab, where SAYL was put through its paces, is infamous among our designers. Some have even dubbed it “the place where designs go to die.” Weights, pulleys, and pistons test every design to the brink of failure—and beyond—to ensure they meet the requirements of our standard 12-year warranty.
Engineers weren’t sure SAYL would make it. It did, thanks to some hard work making every piece work harder.
Setting a record in 2011, John Baker completed the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in just 8 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes, and 39 seconds. Photo: Mark Lester
A prefab shed transformed into a summer retreat, complete with wood flooring and solar panels, by designer Linda Bergroth. Photo: unknown
Meandering riverbeds combine to form dense, branching networks across the desert landscape of southeastern Jordan. Photo: earthobservatory.nasa.gov
An orange-powered nightlight, made possible by a small electrical charge created when zinc nails react with critic acid in the fruit. By no means bright, this photo required a 14-hour exposure. Photo: Caleb Charland
Dreamy and surreal, this photo was taken with an infrared filter and film, which captures light of a different wavelength than traditional photography. Photo: David Keochkerian
Artist William Forsythe creates sensory experiences by filling large architectural spaces with thousands of suspended balloons and deep, resonating music. Video: Scatter Crowds
A busy day at Hanover Airport, this composite photo shows the air traffic over several hours. Photo: Ho-Yeol Ryu
This photo of a spooky eye, on close inspection, reveals itself to be just a draining sink. Photo: Liammm via Reddit
Life in a space colony as imagined by NASA scientists and sci-fi illustrators in the 1970s. Image: Don Davis for NASA
An interior view of Volkswagen’s 16-story car tower in Wolfsburg, Germany, where robotic arms stack, sort, and deliver cars at lightning speed. Photo: Volkswagen
Why do flamingos stand on one foot? Scientists suspect that it helps the birds conserve body heat during long hours spent feeding in cold water. Photo: Martin Harvey
Creatively using both negative and positive space, artist Peter Callesen constructs intricate 3D sculptures by precisely cutting single sheets of paper. Photo: Peter Callesen
Reimagining the traditional nude image, photographer Shinichi Maruyama captures the grace of the human body in motion. Photo: shinichimaruyama.com
Returning from the sea, penguins like this one rocket themselves nearly six feet in the air in order to land clear of any lurking seals. Photo: Paul Nicklen
Stacked, geometric forms, impossibly sharp edges, and smooth curves are all hallmarks of Calvin Seibert’s modernist sandcastles. Photo: Calvin Seibert
A single photo of the Chicago skyline. Filmmaker Eric Hines combined 30,000 such shots to create a time-lapse tribute to the Windy City. Check out the video.
In search of food, emperor penguins can dive to 1,750 feet and remain underwater for 20 minutes on a single breath. Photo: Paul Nicklen
The interior of a Google data center. Maybe the Internet really is made of a series of tubes. Photo: Connie Zhou
A girl celebrates Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, by lighting candles arranged in the shape of the deity Ganesh. Photo: Ajay Verma
A late summer thunderhead gathers strength above Banner Peak and Mount Ritter near Garnet Lake in central California. Photo: Peter Essick
Something not right about this image? Fred Lebian traveled New York City taking photos, later returning to superimpose the pictures over their original scenes. Photo: Fred Lebian
Armed with what appears to be an interstellar flashlight, photographer Jack Fusco points to Sirius, the Dog Star, the brightest star in the night sky. Photo: jackfusco.com
These billowing ribbons and lacy swirls were created by dropping pigments into water and capturing the results with a high-speed camera. Photo: Albert Seveso
Short autumn days and cooler temperatures have caused the green chlorophyll in this leaf to break down, revealing the red pigments that were always there. Photo: Torsten Silz
An intricate labyrinth of poured salt arranged by Japanese artist Motoi Yamamoto, who almost entirely improvises the designs. Photo: Motoi Yamamoto
The delicate dance of moths drawn to a floodlight, captured in this long-exposure photo by Canadian ceramicist Steve Irvine. Photo: Steve Irvine
Swimmers battle the turbulence of a breaking wave at Coogee Beach, Sydney, Australia. Photo: Mark Tipple
Enhanced to increase contrast, this photo clearly shows giant arcs of solar material, known as coronal loops, studied by scientists. Photo: Goddard Space Flight Center
A fox photographed mid-leap as it hunts for small rodents under the snow in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: Richard Peters
Returning from the depths of the Red Sea, Italian freediver Linda Paganelli passes in front of a cave in the Ras Mohammed National Park in Egypt. Photo: Jacques de Vos
The dream-like quality of this photograph is the result of a controlled “mistake” with a slit-scan camera. Photo: Jay Mark Johnson
The Space Shuttle Endeavor on its slow, 12-miles trip through the streets of Los Angeles to it’s new home at the California Science Center. Photo: Kevork Djansezian
Flamingos are very social birds, preferring to live in colonies that can number in the thousands. Photo: Klaus Nigge
The fiery tail of Space Shuttle Endeavor’s final flight reflected in the intercoastal waters of Florida. Photo: James Vernacotola
Illuminated by a projector, seemingly haphazard clumps of wood and detritus become incredibly detailed silhouettes. Photo: Tim Noble and Sue Webster
Moon power? This giant water-filled ball lens is capable of converting light—from both the sun and the moon—into power. Design: André Broessel
This avocado is a spooky example of Shawn Feeney’s food carvings, some of which have appeared in the White House. Photo: Shawn Feeney
Marking the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, Indian children dressed as the famous leader and attended a peace rally. Photo: Ajit Solanki
Known as a blowfish or a pufferfish, the Tetraodontidae compensates for its slow locomotion by inflating into an unpalatable ball of spikes. Photo: Jason Moore
In search of good waves, some surfers are willing to brave the bitter cold and icy waters of the Great Lakes in the winter. Photo: Mike Killion
Powered by just lemons, limes, and oranges, this lamp draws energy from a chemical exchange that takes place between zinc electrodes and the citric acid in the fruit. Photo: Caleb Charland
Hitchcock-like in its inspiration, this art installation required that Carlos Amorales cover an entire Spanish church in black paper moths. Photo: Carlos Amorales
The Sphinx Observatory in Switzerland sits 11,715 above its immediate surroundings and provides unique conditions for research in various disciplines of science. Photo: Unknown
A liquid when at extremely low temperatures (-321 degrees Fahrenheit, to be exact), nitrogen can cause rapid freezing and have shattering results for living tissue. Photo: Jon Shireman
Swim with the whales in the safety of a wading pool at the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in southern Taiwan. Photo: Jeffrey Hsu
Built in the middle of the Drina River, this house is able to survive the seasonal floods that can raise water levels to its front door. Photo: Irene Becker
A small hedgehog blows bubbles in a plate of (lactose free) milk while under the watchful gaze of photographer Cath Schneider’s daughter. Photo: Cath Schneider
No Photoshopping here. All it took to build this floating faucet was clear pipe and some creative engineering. Photo: Todd S. Klassy
Composed of a gelatinous bell and long trailing tentacles, a jellyfish is not actually a fish, a misnomer popularized by public aquariums. Photo: Alexander Semenov
A plaid shirt and Wayfarer frames adorn this piece of Lourve statuary in bit of deft digital manipulation. Photo: Alexis Persani and Leo Caillard
Pizza has become a truly global food, with countries and regions developing their unique tastes: In this case, a mussel pizza from the east coast of the United States. Photo: Andrew Scrivani
“Water wigs,” that’s what photographer Tim Tadder calls the hair shaped splashes captured on the bald heads of his models. Photo: Tim Tadder
Luminescent sea creatures? In fact, they’re fireworks photographed using a long-exposure and refocus technique. Photo: David Johnson
Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s “giant leap” onto the surface of the moon in 1969 marked a milestone in human history. Photo: Buzz Aldrin
With just eight different colored ballpoint pens, artist Samuel Silva uses a crosshatching technique to create photorealistic portraits of people and animals. Photo: Samuel Silva
Deep under the bustling streets of New York City, workers are busy digging a new subway tunnel with the assistance of explosives and excavators. Photo: Richard Barnes
Submerged cement sculptures become a home for coral, sponges, and other marine organisms to attach themselves. Photo: Jason de Caires Taylor
Every year, people young and old gather in Spanish Fork, Utah, to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors. Photo: Thomas Hawk
The green, rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy, as seen through the telephoto zoom lens of photographer Marcin Sobas: 500px.com/MarcinSobas
Nearly 20 percent of the world’s adult population is unable to read, even though it’s a skill that dates back to the 4th century BC. Photo: stevemccurry.com
The thrill of science: a captivated audience gathered in Times Square to watch as the Curiosity rover landed on the surface of Mars. Photo: Andrew Burton
Considerably harder to manage than horses, ostriches take a lap at an annual race in Ellis Park, Kentucky. Photo: Garry Jones
Built to welcome guests to the 1889 World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower was the world’s tallest man-made structure for 41 years. Photo: Unknown, via Wikimedia Commons
In 1972, this calculator was a groundbreaking accomplishment that shrank the power of a desktop computer into something that could be carried in a pocket. Photo: hp.com
Severe weather forms on the horizon as warm, moist air moves rapidly upward, only to cool, condense, and fall back to earth as heavy rain. Photo: Mitch Dobrowner
Constructed entirely from cardboard, this bicycle is designed for a rider up to 300lbs and contains just $9 in materials. Photo: vimeo.com/37584656
Over the years, the pigs of Big Major Cay, Bahamas, taught themselves how to swim as a clever means of scavenging for food from sailors and later tourists. Photo: echeng.com
Alive with 80,000 volts of electricity, these flowers were photographed without a camera using a technique called Kirlian. Photo: buelteman.com
The moon really is made of cheese (albeit not green) in this photo from a series by artist Christopher Boffoli, who stages miniature people alongside common foods. Photo: bigappetites.net
City lights, star trails, aurora, and lightning flashes blend together in this long exposure photo taken from the International Space Station by Astronaut Don Pettit. Photo: http://bit.ly/Jp9ARz
Meant to resemble an eye, the L’hemisferic of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain, sits at the edge of a reflecting pool lined in glass, creating the illusion of the eye as a whole. Photo: cac.es
Sometimes called an ecoduct, wildlife crossing like this one in Alberta, Canada, gives animals a safe means of crossing busy highways. Photo: Joel Sartore
An emblem of the Swiss Alps, Matterhorn derives its name from the German words "matte" and "horn," meaning “meadow peak”, respectively. Photo: Nenad Saljic
Cuts, slices, and folds reveal hints of orange, transforming a thick sheet of white paper into a pair of Japanese Koi fish. Photo: lisarodden.com
A false-colored scan of a caffeine crystal (the same caffeine found in a cup of coffee) under intense magnification. Photo: Annie Cavanagh and David McCarthy
A small forest of mechanical supertrees tower over Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay generating solar power, collecting rainwater, and providing shade from the sun. Photo: Glen Espinosa
Rendered in hyper detail, these mouthwatering Italian pastries by painter Luigi Benedicenti look as though you could eat them. Photo: albemarlegallery.com/artists/luigi-benedicenti
Five fish become the living instruments of a concert as their vertical movements are translated in musical sounds. Listen: quietensemble.com/quintetto
A spectacular display of the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, photographed from the window of the International Space Station by Astronaut Andre Kuipers. Photo: Andre Kuipers
The beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are home to some giant fish constructed using discarded plastic bottles. Photo: Victor R. Caivano
Constructed entirely from paper, these intricate models of motorcycles were designed by Paperobean to require no cutting or glue. Photo: facebook.com/ipapero
Twice a year the setting sun aligns with the main east–west streets of New York City, an event dubbed “Manhattanhenge.” Photo: Steve Kelley
Revealing the fine detail of the Australian jumping ant for the first time, a team of scientists is traveling the world with the goal of 3D photographing every species of ant. Photo: Antweb.org
Just a bottle, or is it Coca-Cola bottle? Brand Spirit is a project exploring our relationships with the brands that surround us. Photo: brandspirit.tumblr.com
Surfers know they’ll be spending a few moments underwater, but when surfing big waves it’s not uncommon to be held down a minute or more. Photo: Tony Heff
Floating in a sea of clouds, the 1,300-foot sheer cliffs of Mount Roraima mark the triple border point of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. Photo: Uwe George
Bacteria sample or your favorite vino? Actually it is both. Photographed through a microscope, red wine takes on a new look. Photo: legoullonphotography.com
An annulus, or ring of fire, occurs when the moon does not completely cover the sun during a solar eclipse. Photo: Colleen Pinski
When technology meets culinary experimentation, the result is a deep-fried iPad. Look delicious? Photo: Henry Hargreaves
The persistent winds of Mars sculpt these large sand dunes into flowing, drop-like forms that change with the seasonal winds. Photo: nasa.gov
Gale-force winds directly to the face do not make for a flattering portrait, but that was likely not the point. Photo: tadaocern.com
By color-coding numerical digits 1 through 9, designers Two-N, Inc. created a visual representation of Pi to four million decimals. This image is just a small detail. Photo: two-n.com
Looking to boost sales, a Japanese seaweed shop has begun laser cutting intricate designs into the sheets of nori used to roll sushi. isbbdo.co.jp
Triggered by the shattering sound, a camera captures to two porcelain figures in a delicate battle with one another. Photo: martin-klimas.de
Workers, dwarfed by their surroundings, sort and stack orders into an enormous wall of shelves at a Microsoft shipping facility. Photo: christian-stoll.com
Reaching for light, a tree grows from the top of an abandoned chimney in Luque, Paraguay. Photo: Jorge Saenz
The sweet anatomy of a pinata as imagined by the creative company Carmichael Lynch. Photo: carmichaelcollective.com
Sheep now inhabit Hobbiton, the fictional town build for the “Lord of the Rings” in Matamata, New Zealand. Photo: Tara Hunt
Appearing 16 percent larger than average, a “supermoon” occurs when the moon’s closest point of orbit coincides with a full moon. Photo: Quynh Ton
How does she hover? An optical illusion is a trick played on the eye when visual perception differs from objective reality. Photo: Unknown
A Rube Goldberg machine is a complex contraption designed to perform a simple task, in this case write a letter. Watch the video: mini.melvinthemachine.com
In the hands of artist William Miller, a broken polaroid camera turns out amazing abstract art. Photo: williammillerphoto.com
The pleasing symmetry of this geometric pattern is actually the vault of York Minster cathedral, built by hand in 1286. Photo: davidstephensonart.com
“One Steak” spelled out with 1,500 one-liter bottles of water, the amount of water needed to produce a 4-ounce steak. Photo: Reuters
Drawn by hand, the art of Paul Cadden is rich with meticulously details that border on hyperrealism. Photo: paulcadden.com
A boy pauses as sheep and goats take to the streets in protest in the French city Brignoles. Photo: AFP
The wind passing through the Sagano bamboo forest has been identified as one of “one hundred must-be-preserved sounds of Japan.” Photo: Donna & Stephan
Beginning with layers of wire mesh, sculptor Seung Mo Park slowly snips away areas to create giant ephemeral portraits like this one. Photo: Seung Mo Park
Space shuttle Discovery, retired after 39 trip to space, rides atop a 747 on its way to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.. Photo Tracy A. Woodward
Using only the focused rays of the sun, designer Markus Kayser created this bowl by melting layers of sand into glass, a process similar to 3D printing. Photo: markuskayser.com
Battered participants in 115 cities across the globe took part in fifth annual International Pillow Fight Day, April 7, 2012. Photo: Olivia Harris
Powered by a single off-the-shelf drill on a flowing plywood chassis, this electric vehicle hits top speeds of 15mph for up to 10 minutes at a time. Photo: rennholz.com
An optical illusion makes this lake in the Faroe Islands appear to tower above the sea. Photo: Jan Egil Kristianson
The dew drenched face of a insect, captured by photographer Ondrej Pakan. Photo: biker11.500px.com/portfolio/
Using what is referred to as “soup,” Mandy Barker transforms the plastic debris found floating in the sea into ingredients for her art. Photo: mandy-barker.com
Every year the city of Valencia in Spain celebrates Las Fallas, a noisy week of festivities climaxing in the burning of large papier mache figures. Photo: AFP
Although it appears to be a wave, this Lego surfer is actually riding an underwater plume of ink. Photo: Alberto Seveso
An intricate industrial landscape created from the negative space of a cut leaf, part of an ad campaign for Plant for the Planet. Photo: Legas Delaney
The other-worldly nature of this octopus is the result of a negative imaging process, in which all colors are reversed, with red appearing cyan, green appearing magenta, and blue appearing yellow. Photo: Sarah Jackson
The small town of Asiago, Italy shrouded in fog. Photo: Vittorio Polli
Lit from above and rotated to a particular angle, these seemingly abstract hand-carved sculptures by scientist and artist John Muntean suddenly cast discernable images. Photo: jvmuntean.com
The trained eye of photographer Bjoren Ewers rendered the cramped interior of this cello into a voluminous interior. Photo: Bjoren Ewers
Volcanic lighting, thought to be caused by colliding dust particles, is not a completely understood phenomena. Photo: EPA
Bedouin pose in front of the great pyramids of Egypt in this photograph from the 1870’s. Photo: New York Public Library
From Miles Davis to Kraftwerk, photographer Martin Klimas creates explosive sound paintings by playing music at high volume. Photo: Martin Klimas
Photographer Sannah Kvist invited friends to gather all of their belonging and pose for a project entitled “All I Own.” Photo: Sannah Kvist
Diners sit in the sparkling wake of a waterfall as they local cuisine in the tourist town of San Pablo City in the Philippines. Photo: Na Sana
Maddie the coonhound is currently posing and balancing her way across the U.S. with photographer and owner Theron Humphrey. Photo: maddieonthings.com
“Alphabet Topography” is a physical examination of letters and their frequency of use—“R,” used more often than “G,” is taller. Photo: synopticoffice.com
Using a focus technique called bokeh, Lee Peiling creates macro photographs of insects that could be mistaken for paintings. Photo: flickr.com/photos/twomeows
The Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, is named for the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek word for north wind, boreas. Photo: Ole Salomonsen
Designer Livia Ritthaler created a minimalistic gramophone from just three materials: paper, wood, and metal. Photo Livia Ritthaler
This Chameleon, the world’s smallest, was discovered off the coast of Madagascar and measures just 3cm long. Photo: Frank Glaw
Armed with LEDs and xenon flashlights, artist Trevor Willimas paints with light, using scenes from his adapted home, Japan, as a backdrop. Photo: Trevor Williams
The surface of Mars in false color, a technique used by geologists to study the mineral composition of landscapes. Photo: NASA
The treelike canopy of the Metropol Parasol is Seville, Spain invokes the sense of a shaded, open forest floor in the heart of the city. Photo: Hufton + Crow
“The Back Seat of My Car,” a series by Alicia Rius captures her vision of abandoned objects as hidden treasures. Photo: Alicia Rius
If human height varied as much as dogs, the smallest would be two feet tall and the tallest would tower 31 feet. Photo: Robert Clark
The personal kitchen of Gladys Valastro was influenced by her learnings as a designer of the first kitchen for handicapped living. Photo Sal Valastro
In 1848, a German glass blower invented marble scissors, a spherical mold that revolutionized the process of making marbles. Photo: whodeenee
Artist Max de Esteban meticulously disassembles old gadgets, photographing each layer, and then digitally constructs an x-ray like image. Photo: Max de Esteban
A calligrapher writes various characters meaning “dragon” to commemorate this year’s Chinese zodiac during lunar new year celebrations. Photo: Agence France-Presse
A top-ranked 400-meter runner and Olympic favorite, Oscar Pistorius had both lower legs amputated when he was 11 months old. Photo: Pieter Hugo
In 1978, a group of kids discovered a Ferrari buried in the backyard of their suburban LA home. Photo: Michael Haering
This unusual “blonde” penguin has isabellinism, a genetic mutation that dilutes the pigment of its feathers: Photo: David Stephens
Artist Tara Donovan transforms ordinary objects into imaginative forms, in this case styrofoam cups become buoyant clouds. Photo Tara Donovan
The International Space Station seems to hover over the moon’s surface, when in actuality the two are separated by nearly 240,000 miles. Photo: Lauren Harnett
Survivors of the Japanese tsunami visit the mangled remains of a pine tree that resembles a dragon, this year's Chinese zodiac symbol. Photo: Manichi Shinbun
Ben Bulben, a large rock formation thrust from the flat Irish countryside, is the setting of many Celtic legends. Photo: Unknown
Artist Brain Dettmer carves away at the pages of books, favoring out-of-date encyclopedias, to reveal the images within. Photo: Brain Dettmer
Light pillars, a natural phenomenon, are created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces. Photo: Tristan Greszko
Lucky pig (Glücksschwein) charms are believed to bring good luck in the New Year, the Swiss resort of Klosters goes one better with its annual pig race. Photo: Arno Balzarini
Tree-like shapes formed by rivers in Baja California desert, Mexico. Photo: Adriana Franco
Suffering from a sore neck while you work? Or stiff shoulders? Or having some back pain? There’s a good chance your eyes are to blame. Much like the old gambling adage, “the house always wins,” when it comes to being comfortable while working, ergonomists will tell you, “the eyes always wins.”
The eyes only care about their own comfort and to ensure that, they’ll force the rest of the body to contort into unhealthy positions. You’ll really notice this after a few hours in front of the computer.
One way to create a win-win situation for both your eyes and your body is to move your monitor. Try bringing it closer, moving it away, and adjusting it up or down—of course a monitor arm makes this easier to do. We also recommend increasing the size of the on-screen font. Make your eyes comfortable and your body will thank you.
Magis Puppies, like Eames chairs, are often a canvas for artistic expression. In this case, they’ve been decorated for a charity auction. Photo: ECC Lighting + Furniture
When modern meets traditional and engineering sits beside handcraft, it’s hard not to love the juxtaposition. Photo: Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan
A minimalist retreat, this living room is the perfect place for reading a book or simply enjoying the view. Photo: James Silverman
An heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation, this Eames Lounge once belonged to the grandparents of the homeowner. Photo: Leigh Davis
An informal meeting area with Eames Chairs, the “Nest” is tucked away from the hustle of the rest of the office. Photo: Bruce Damonte
A Herman Miller shipping box upcycled into a Re-Ply Chair, a reclining seat made from several layers of cardboard and a metal base. Photo: there-ply.com
Mac, a 12-year-old West Highland Terrier, is only allowed on the Eames lounge chair after he’s had a bath—or so his owner thinks. Photo: Richie via Living Edge
This is where Facebook sits while facebooking; Eames chairs in a conference room of the social media giant’s San Francisco headquarters. Photo: Emily Shur for TIME
Suffering from too much stuff? Take a cue from this homeowner and unclutter your entrance way with a couple of Hang-It-Alls. Via: Design Sponge
The mix of modern design—like the black Noguchi Table—and decorative accessories give this living room its cozy personality. Photo: Unknown
Creative use of reclaimed wood, a living wall of air-filtering plants, and a few Mirra Chairs helped earn this office LEED certification. Architecture: Jones Haydu
Blue Eames Chairs provide a splash of color in the cool interiors of the Dallas office of TM Advertising. Photo: Bruce Damonte
Exposed brick, rustic tables, and Mirra chairs—the bohemian style of Free People is evident in the design of the brand’s new office space. Photo: Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle
I count four. How many Herman Miller pieces can you spot in the living room of this Houston, Texas, home? Photo: Chris Nguyen
Modest materials were used to maximum effect in this headquarters for SEI Investments. Photo: Laura Swimmer
What did you notice first? If it was the chairs, then cats might not be your first love. Photo: Modern Livings
A quiet place to study with a comfortable chair at the library of the University of Chicago Law School. Photo: Cannon Design
An Eames Molded Plastic Chair supports this young woman and her stylish prosthetic leg—a collaboration between designer Scott Summit and an orthopedic surgeon. Via: BBC
The University of Chicago Law School Library choose Eames Aluminum Group Chairs for the public spaces of their newly renovated building. Photo: Cannon Design
Bombo Stools complement the warm, wood accents in the kitchen of this modern Australian home. Photo: Fox Johnston
Aeron Chairs —check. Protective gear—check. Sticks are all Easton Bell Sports needs for an impromptu game of office hockey. Photo: Marco Zecchin
Comfortable with a touch of luxury was the request of this condo owner; the Noguchi Table fit the bill perfectly. Interior Design: Eleven Interior
Table, stool, or spa companion, the Capelli Stool is an award-winning design that can play many roles. Photo: SB Architects
“An Embody for everyone” seems to have been the mantra of the award-winning offices of this Chicago trading firm. Design: Perkins+Wills
A great view and afternoon sun make this Eames Lounge a contender for the best seat in the city. Design: Kristen Rivoli
Pull up a Bombo Stool and appreciate the clean lines and modern finishes of this contemporary kitchen. Design: Anthony Wilder
Start the day off right with a sunrise and seaside view. Photo: James Silverman
Family dinner, game night, or birthday party, there’s a seat for everyone around this kitchen table. Photo: Hive Modern
A pair of Coconut Chairs: the perfect place to spend a quiet evening in with your toes curled up in a sheepskin rug. Photo: Fab
Enjoy the view of Lake Geneva from a living room that embraces the warmth of wood and leather. Photo: James Sliverman
Table, stool, or stand, Eames Walnut Stools have a myriad of uses, not least dressing up the kid’s playroom. Design: Wentworth Studio
A New York penthouse with an interior slide; what better way to arrive at the dinner table? Photo: Travis Dubreuil
Stainless steel and colorful linen accents abound, but you’ll not find a trace of wood in the headquarters of Lee Steel. Design: Davis & Davis
Take in the New York City view from a vintage Nelson X-leg Table surrounded by Eames Molded Plywood Chairs. Photo: Elizabeth Felicella
Simple and spacious was the intent of the combined dining room, kitchen, and living area of this Japanese home. Photo: Studio Skilm
This warm, contemporary home gets a modern edge courtesy of a great pendant light and some Magis chairs. Photo: cdlworkshop.com
There’s something satisfying about green grass between your toes, even if it’s not the real stuff. Photo: davidlauerphotography.com
Kick your shoes off and get some work done in this clutter-free home office. Photo: gaileguevara.com
Take one handsome cat, add two vintage Eames chairs, and you have a Pinterest perfect photo. Photo: Jason Forest
Sit back and relax or get down to business, this office was designed with both in mind. Photo: aplusi.com
How do you know when your boardroom table is big enough? When it takes 20 Eames Aluminum Group Chairs to surround it. Photo: aplusi.com
Clothes aren’t the only stylish thing at the Banana Republic offices. Photo: Banana Republic via Instagram
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then this cozy corner is the perfect place to dig in. Photo: fiorelladesign.com
It’s only fitting for a media company like Horizon to have monitors prominently on display in this cool conference room. Photo: Magda Biernat for a+i Architecture
Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend crossword, this dining room has a grown-up allure for all occasions. Photo: natalieyounger.com
The spectacular city view from this home office is unimpeded by bulky furnishings and clucky technology. Photo: terratelms.com
Choosing a comfortable place to sit may be the only easy decision made at this big, angular boardroom table. Photo: arupassociates.com
Blending life and work together into a single space, Intexure Architects opted to line the perimeter of a casual meeting table with Magis Air Chairs. Photo: tm-studio.com
Clean and uncluttered, everything in this home office was thoughtfully selected from the art to the Aeron work chair. Photo: tm-studio.com
Sometimes good design moves to the background so you have room to enjoy life. Photo: Ira Lippke
A couple of Eames molded plywood chairs and table and a lamp—that’s all the minimalist interior of this renovated Swiss farm building needed. Photo: Daniela Droz
Eames Time-Life chairs on display alongside several other soon-to-be classics at Braan’s Frankfurt, Germany office, circa 1960. Photo: Hans G. Conrad
Cheer up the dreariest of board meetings with a touch of color—in this case some purple Eames Aluminum Group Chairs. Photo: clivewilkinson.com
Colorful artwork and a comfortable Aeron Chair make this home office feel less like the office. Photo: H. Tokuyoshi
A handy little piece to have around, the Eames Wire Table is perfect place for a laptop or dinner in front of the TV. Photo: CBY
Who says a chair is just for sitting? This Eames Molded Plastic Chair makes a fine bedside table. Photo: Trecompany
This vintage photo captures the graceful repose of a model seated in an Eames Aluminum Group Lounge Chair, featured in the November 1960 issue of “Vogue” magazine. Photo: Karen Radkai
A colorful collection of Eames Molded Plastic Chairs take sides in the dining room of this Belgium retreat. Photo: Louis-Philippe Breydel
Sometimes work requires a quiet sanctuary away from the buzz of people, an Aeron Chair ensures the time will be spent comfortably. Photo: Matt Winquist and and Kat Nania
What better way to enjoy the desert air than dining al fresco in these vintage Eames Molded Plastic Chairs. Photo: ruemag.com
The warmth of a vintage Nelson Basic Cabinet complement the white tiled walls and floors of this apartment designed for Tile of Spain. Photo: fotoarquitectura.es
The simple look of Setu helps make this home office a cozy place to check a few emails on Saturday mornings. Photo: Barry Calhoun
Magis Chair_One on a four-star base is a rare sight; that makes the set of eight around this table quite a treat. Photo: ideastosteal.com
JetBlue chose Setu Chairs to sit around the giant boardroom table of their New York headquarters. Photo: Adrian Wilson
Standing while you work has been in fashion since Herman Miller designed the first office system in 1964. Photo: Herman Miller
Contrasting with the sea of red carpet, these white Eames Aluminum Group chairs surround a custom-made table in the boardroom of Kids II. Photo: Emily Followill
Enjoy the California sun while working in a pair of apple green Eames Aluminum Group Chairs. Photo: midcenturymodernist.com
A place for everything in the shelf-lined home office of architect Steven Shortridge, complete with Eames Soft Pad chair. Photo: bethanynauert.com
Almost too many to count, Eames molded plastic chairs dot the interior of this office workspace for design blog DesignLoveFest, among others. Photo: bethanynauert.com
Magis Stool_One complement the ultra modern lines and limited palette of this renovated Greek home. Photo: studiopaterakis.com
Rebuilt after devastating tornados in 2011, the new Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri chose to outfit patient rooms with the flexible Compass System. Photo: mercy.net/node/4582
A set of Magis Chair_One provide a place to enjoy the outdoors in the courtyard of this Greek seaside residence. Photo: studiopaterakis.com
Brand new Eames molded plastic armchairs complete the look of this 1950s conference room. Photo: ro-lu.com
Trying their hardest to act natural, the employees of Japanese web developer Colony Interactive pose in their Aeron chairs. Photo: hermanmiller.co.jp
Eames wire chairs in this photo for Marazzi, an Italian maker of fine ceramics and stoneware. Photo: marazzi.it
A place for your drink and magazine, with room to spare. The Eames elliptical table in the living room of a Scandinavian apartment. Photo: Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer
A pair of Aeron chairs in the home office of a renovated San Francisco loft. Photo: mazenstudio.ca
A photo realistic rendering of a home workspace with Eames molded plywood chairs. Image: annkos.com
Don Draper and his fellow Mad Men discuss business while in their Eames executive chairs. Photo: blogs.amctv.com
George Nelson Swag Leg chairs provide a modern touch to the dining room of this hundred-year-old Northwest Portland home. Photo: jhinteriordesign.com
Not even a leaping lion can distract from the design of a Nelson platform bench in the apartment of Eric Goode. Photo: personaproduction.com
A simple palette complemented by the warm touch of an Eames molded plywood chair. Photo: birgittawolfgangdrejer.com
Stand, sit, or pull an Aeron chair up to a pallet/desk in the office of Amsterdam-based BrandBase. Photo: MOST Architecture
A pair of Eames Aluminum Group lounge chairs in the living room of this Australian flat. Photo:Elizabeth Bay
An old parking garage became a state-of-the-art research lab stocked with Equa chairs for the Weill Cornell Medical College. Photo: Stonehill&Taylor
Creative juices flow free with the aid Aeron chairs at the office of Manchester-based creative studio the Neighbourhood. Photo: the-neighbourhood.com
Eames molded plastic chairs line both sides of the dining table in the energy efficient Hudson Passive Project. Photo: Peter Aaron
A Danish modern desk and Eames Aluminum Group chair, a cozy pairing in this home office. Photo: the10centdesigner.com
A Mirra work chair in the sunlit office of Australia-based Digital Eskimo. Photo: Scott Nolan
A community space with Eames molded plastic chairs in Red Bull’s new headquarters. Photo: Ewout Huiber
A Nelson platform bench in harmony with the Scandinavian style of this living room. Photo: Apartment Therapy
The office of typographer of Nick Keppol, outfitted with a Herman Miller Aria desk, Embody chair and Eames LTR. Photo: Apartment Therapy
It’s a snowy view from this Eames Desk and Aeron chair. Photo: Shawn Wall
A Noguchi table in the comfy living room of this Swedish apartment. Photo: Lagerlings
Sayl chairs make a guest appearance in the Gamemakers control room of The Hunger Games. Photo: Lionsgate
Eames molded plywood chairs in front of a cloud backdrop used by Eameses in various photo shoots and films. Photo: Wright 20
Frank Sinatra throws his feet up and relaxes in his Eames lounge and ottoman. Photo: Unknown
Several Eames classics in the living room of this renovated So-Cal bungalow. Photo: Dwell
Avive tables and Ethospace workstations in the busy Boston office of architectural firm Shepley Bulfinch. Photo: Shepley Bulfinch
"Take Note of Spring's Best Looks" advises the Bloomingdale's catalog featuring this sunny Nelson Marshmallow sofa. Photo: Bloomingdale’s
Eames Soft Pad chairs and tables provide a place to chat in the lobby of Marquette University’s Ray and Kay Eckstein Hall. Photo: Shepley Bulfinch
Molded plywood chairs by Charles and Ray Eames lend a mid-century touch to the bedroom of this Nashville loft. Photo: Reid Rolls
Eames molded plywood chairs and storage unit in the dinning room of House Industries founder Andy Cruz. Photo: Rose Callahan
Eames molded plywood lounge chairs set a casual tone for a community area at the headquarters of creative agency Parliament. Photo: Weareparliament.com
The shipping container office of Jeff Wardell, complete with an Aeron chair designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick. Photo: Drew Kelly.
An Eames lounge and ottoman in the bedroom of this modern New York City apartment. Photo: ixdesign
Eames Aluminum Group chairs are center stage at hair salon, club, and sometimes gallery Club Milano. Photo: Oficina Stoberl
SAYL work chairs flank a Geiger Peer table in the headquarters of Plantronics in Santa Cruz, California. Photo: Plantronics
A green Eames Aluminum Group management chair sits behind the desk of this beautiful home office. Photo: unknown
A pair of Eames molded plywood dining chairs in the light-filled living room of this Seattle home. Photo: Aaron Leitz
Vintage Eames molded plastic chairs pleasantly contrast the traditional details of this Swedish home. Photo: Idha Lindhags
A modern meal spot made comfortable with a set of Eames molded plywood chairs. Photo: Michael Wells
A community space with Aeron work stools in the award-winning Armstrong Oil and Gas office, Denver, Colorado. Photo: Lake Flato
An Eames aluminum group management chair, part of a study under the stairs in this light-filled Bozeman, Montana residence. Photo: John Clark, Dwell
This Riverside loft offers guests both an Eames lounge and ottoman and molded plywood lounge chair. Photo: John Heineman, Blue Ant Studio
Twelve Eames molded plastic chairs are the entire seating capacity for the Parisian rooftop restaurant Nomiya. Photo: KleineFenn
The angular interiors of Arthouse Cafe perfectly match Konstantin Grcic’s Chair_one for Magis. Photo: Joey Ho Design Limited
The complementary warmth of an Eames molded plywood coffee table in the incredibly energy efficient Hudson Passive Project. Photo: Peter Aaron
Enjoy a panoramic view of the Dutch seaside from this dining room, complete with Eames wire chairs. Photo: Hotze Eisma, Elle Decor.
Caper multipurpose chairs provide students to study at Georgia Institute of Technology’s Hinman Research Building. Photo: Jonathan Hillyer, Architect magazine
The dynamic boardroom of Red Bull’s Canadian headquarters, featuring a custom table surrounded by SAYL work chairs. Photo: Tom Arban, Contract magazine
Charles and Ray Eames kept many of the holiday cards they received over the years—cards from family and friends, including the likes for Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner, Eero and Lily Saarinen, and D.J. De Pree. Not surprising, considering the Eames’s inclination to collect and curate objects they found beautiful, intriguing, or particularly well designed.
For more holiday cards and Eames ephemera, visit the Library of Congress website, where you can view many of the over 1,000,000 Eames photos and documents housed in the Library’s collection.
Paper doesn’t require any special equipment—“All you have to do is sit down, cut paper out, and score it, bend it, and glue it.” Designer Irving Harper has a way of making it sound easy; when you see his creations you realize it’s not. Harper is just humble and extraordinarily talented.
This fact becomes even more apparent when you reflect back on his long and distinguished career. A long-time member of George Nelson’s design office, Harper is widely acknowledged as the creator of some of the 20th century’s most iconic designs: the Marshmallow Sofa, the Ball Clock, and (something very close to our heart) the Herman Miller logo, among many well-known designs.
Much in same way he transforms paper into art, Irving Harper has always had a knack for turning humble materials and seemingly simple ideas into something special.
In Irving Harper’s hands, you can imagine any material to be versatile.
Apparently, when it comes to snowflakes, we’ve been misinformed.
Adriana, a young and energetic participant in We Care, fills me in, “There’s a factory up in the clouds, stamping the snow, and that’s what’s shaping the snowflakes. They could be the same or different—it depends.”
It’s undetermined whether this explanation had anything to do with the holiday card she was decorating at the time—covered in silver ink-stamped snowflakes.
Here in Holland, Michigan, Adriana was one of 225 kids and 50 employee volunteers stamping, gluing, and coloring during the Herman Miller-sponsored arts and crafts extravaganza known as We Care.
Steve Hightower, a Herman Miller employee and avid volunteer of six years, said his favorite part is “seeing the kids smiling and running around. They get a chance to do crafts that maybe they wouldn’t otherwise. It’s really cool.”
This year marks the 16th anniversary of We Care, our partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America and local design firms. We Care reaches 30 communities across North America and this holiday, more than 6,000 youngsters came to craft.
Charles Eames used to say, “The details are not details. They make the product.” Today, we honor Charles’ belief in the way we craft the designs of the Herman Miller Collection.
Working with local suppliers and manufacturers, we balance handcraft and industrial process. We utilize the newest technologies and latest materials to create a designer’s vision to the highest level of precision, durability, and sustainability. We then rely on skilled craftspeople to provide individual human touches: finishing, upholstering, and assembling each piece by hand.
These details make a difference; we believe that Charles would agree.
In a 1980 interview with Ruth Bowman for the Archives of American Art, Ray responded to a question about her chosen vocation:
“I never thought of myself as an artist and couldn’t bear the word.”
She objected to the generality of the label, but her comments about her interdisciplinary approach to art and design provide an intriguing contrast:
“It was natural for me not to separate them, you know—now you study history, now you study dance, now you study music, or now you study pottery or whatever it is—it all seemed to be one thing. “
Of Ray’s many artistic pursuits—painting, film, textiles, fashion, and furniture design—perhaps the most personal was her proclivity for making interesting arrangements with found objects. Of her curious habit, she said:
“Almost everything that was ever collected was an example of some facet of design and form. We never collected anything as just collectors, but because something was inherent in the piece that made it seem like a good idea to be looking at it. “
It’s always a good idea to revisit the work of Charles and Ray Eames, especially in light of the 100th anniversary of Ray’s birth on Saturday, December 15, 2012. We celebrate Ray’s life and work as a painter, collector, and designer.
How do you design a better patient chair? For us it began with conversations, more than 200 of them. We spoke with caregivers, patients, and other support personnel to find out what works and what doesn’t. We also consulted with ergonomists, physical therapists, and gerontologists to understand the recovery process. We learned a lot, and the resulting design became the Nala Chair.
Patients need to be comfortable—physically as well as emotionally. One way the Nala Chair addresses this is by mimicking the natural movement of a person’s body: tilting and pivoting at the ankle, knee, and hip. The motion of the chair is relaxed and controlled; heavier patients will not recline too quickly and lighter ones will not move forward too quickly. Nala’s arms, long and wide, provide patients with ample place to grip while getting in and out of the chair—ensuring patients feel secure.
For caregivers, transferring seated patients up and out of a chair can be a strenuous task. To assist them, Nala was designed with a leaf spring to reduce the physical effort needed to move a patient. To simplify cleaning, Nala was designed with sizeable gaps between components to minimize debris build-up. Resilient materials and finishes were selected to stand up to the rigors of healthcare environments.
We believe that design is a process that begins with people. That’s why we talk to the right people, ask lots of questions, and listen carefully to their answers. The results of these conversations, as in the case of Nala, can be comfortable and healthy.
Drawing 680 galleries, 2,000 artists, and more than 50,000 collectors from around the globe, Art Basel Miami Beach is one of the world’s premier art shows. If you’re an art lover, it’s the place to see works from cutting-edge newcomers alongside pieces by renowned artists.
For the second year in a row, we were the show’s exclusive furniture sponsor. Across the venue—in lounges, restaurants, and VIP areas—people took a break from browsing art and enjoyed furniture from the Herman Miller Collection.
Also on display at Art Basel was a sneak peek of Then X Ten, a traveling exhibition celebrating Herman Miller’s rich history of poster design.
Art Basel was December 6-8, 2012. Couldn’t make it? Check us out on Facebook for more photos from the event.
“Good design is a blend of art and science,” explains designer Jeff Weber. “Using that combination to positively impact how people live and work is really exciting.”
As a kid, Weber was fascinated by the way things worked. “I was always tinkering—either building things or tearing them apart,” he says. Following a suggestion from his grandfather, Weber became interested in industrial design. “I never really thought about doing anything else,” he recalls.
As co-creator of the Embody Chair, alongside Bill Stumpf, Weber worked closely with optometrists, neurologists, and other medical specialists to learn how to “support the body in a healthful way and enable motion.” The resulting design is pleasing to the eye and has been shown to lower the sitter’s heart rate and reduce stress—good for both mind and body.
For Weber, the hard work pays off when he sees someone sitting in a chair and appreciating it. “That’s the most satisfying part.”
George Nelson was a talented writer, a rare gift for someone equally gifted in design, architecture, and the visual arts. With just a few select words, Nelson could guide a reader through an intricate, visual world or define a philosophy in broad sweeps. The author of 11 books and at least 179 articles, Nelson was also prolific.
As Jordan Pierce of the Yale Daily News recently noted, “Nelson stands apart for his wit, lucidity and ability to incorporate a thoughtful, human perspective.” True of Nelson’s writing, as well as his design work. “Nelson tore the numbers from clocks,” explains Peirce, “he put clutter in ‘storage walls’ and turned workplaces into ‘Action Offices.’” By doing so, Nelson earned his position as a founder of American Modernism.
For an opportunity to see Nelson’s writings, alongside his other works, be sure to visit George Nelson: Architect | Writer | Designer | Teacher, a traveling exhibition currently showing at the Yale School of Architecture gallery.
Not in the New Haven area? The new George Nelson Foundation website is another great resource. Check it out here.
The last thing designer Marcel Wanders wants to be is boring. “There’s enough of that in life,” he says. “I’m interested in designing things that excite people and make them feel alive.” With a chair made out of knots and a chandelier called Happy Hour in his portfolio, Wanders is certainly on the right track.
For the Troy Chair, designed for Magis, Wanders created an intricate pattern inspired by the lush motifs of damask fabrics. The pattern, molded into the back of the chair’s plywood seat, imparts the modern profile with a romantic sensibility. The result is elegant, and, explains Wanders, a “lovely balance between new and old.”
Wanders’ prolific body of work, ranging from fashion accessories to lavish hotels, is represented in museums around the world, including the Museums of Modern Art in both New York and San Francisco and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
How would you describe the Eames Lounge and Ottoman? For Charles Eames, the chair invoked the “warm receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s glove.” Composed of tufted-leather cushions and richly grained molded-plywood shells, the chair has been seen by others as a modern interpretation of a traditional English club chair.
Introduced in 1956, the Eames lounge and ottoman has become an icon of design—an icon built to last. Combining high-quality materials and craftsmanship, Charles and Ray Eames designed the chair to withstand the rigors of everyday life. And, much like Charles’ baseball glove, the lounge and ottoman only gets better with use.
If you’re interested in designs built to last, be sure to visit the HermanMiller Store or authorized retailer to shop the Herman Miller Sale. Save 15 percent on classics like the Eames Lounge and Ottoman, now until December 10, 2012.
In 2008, we began encouraging our employees to carpool and bike to work. Four years later, the program has resulted in 474,997 miles saved—that’s the equivalent of 19 trips around the earth’s equator.
Every year we collect information like miles saved, environmental emissions, and charitable activities into our Better World Report. We do this to let you know what we’re doing to reach our goals in four areas—community service, inclusiveness and diversity, health and well-being, and environmental advocacy. Are we perfect and do we always succeed? Of course not, but we believe every trip around the equator saved is a step in the right direction.
To learn how we turned 16 into 15,992, check out the new Better World Report.
In 1963, the Eames Office encouraged people to “Beware of imitations” and “Enjoy the comfort of the real thing.” Fifty years later, the issue of knockoffs has grown even more troublesome. That’s why Herman Miller has joined with Thonet, Maharam, and other manufactures, retailers, and designers to support the Authentic Design Alliance (ADA). A nonprofit organization, the ADA advocates stricter copyright laws to protect the quality, craftsmanship, and integrity that come with authentic design. One way you can show your support is by signing the ADA’s online petition. Open to everyone to sign, the petition will be delivered to Australian lawmakers in the ADA’s first effort at affecting change.
If you’re interested in authentic design, be sure to visit the HermanMiller Store during our holiday sale to save 15 percent storewide. Sale ends December 10, 2013.
Brothers and designers Rowan and Erwan Bouroullec.
A photo from "Bivouac," a traveling exhibtion of the Bouroullecs' design work.
A photo from "Bivouac," a traveling exhibtion of the Bouroullecs' design work.
A photo from "Bivouac," a traveling exhibtion of the Bouroullecs' design work.
For nearly 20 years, the Bouroullec bothers, Ronan and Erwan, have been partners in design. Working side by side, the two siblings have developed a close relationship that influences their approach to design. “We discuss everything openly and honestly with each other,” explains Erwan, “that’s important because often creativity does not come from a rational point of view but an emotional one.” Designs that balance problem solving with innovation and production process—the Steelwood Chair being a good example—are typical of the brothers’ work and proof that their approach works well.
An exhibition of Bouroullec designs is currently at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. The show is entitled Bivouac—a word meaning a lightweight shelter that can be adapted to its environment—an apt metaphor for a traveling exhibition which immerses people in all aspects of the brothers’ designs, including sketches, prototypes, and objects large and small.
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec: Bivouac will be showing at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago until January 20, 2013. Learn more here.
