A new temporary exhibition at the Hunter Museum of American Art showcases products designed by Herman Miller, the renowned office furniture company.
“Good Design: Stories From Herman Miller” features drawings, models, prototypes, photographs, oral histories and objects to showcase the creation and evolution of many 20th- and 21st-century designs by Gilbert Rohde, Ray and Charles Eames, George Nelson, Alexander Girard, Robert Propst, Steve Frykholm, Bill Stumpf, Don Chadwick and others.
The show reveals the collaborative problem-solving design process employed at Herman Miller Inc. and offers four case studies that explore ergonomics for healthier seating; furniture for the new white-collar working space; graphic communication for effectively conveying a message; and the creation of midcentury classics to furnish a new type of living space.
Charles and Ray Eames’ molded plywood lounge chair, George Nelson’s Marshmallow Sofa, as well as Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick Aeron Chair, which populates so many offices today, are all products of Herman Miller Inc.
The inspiration for the exhibition came from the recent book “Herman Miller: The Purpose of Design” by design scholar and authority John R. Berry. Commenting on the idea behind the exhibition, Berry observed: “Many people are confused by the difference between art and design. Design is a noun, a verb and a problem-solving process. It is art with a purpose. Good design requires a clear understanding of the particular need, conditions, constraints and opportunities. Good design does not happen in a vacuum.”