The Art and Science of Herman Miller Seating

Client: Herman Miller

AGENCY: MICHAEL MCGINN DESIGN / STANDARD ISSUE DESIGN

Role: Designer / Install Supervision

This exhibit was designed to showcase the history of innovation in Herman Miller seating design from the 1940s to the present day. Several identical sets were made for display in Herman Miller showrooms worldwide.

The exhibit is based on 7 pedestals, each one focusing on an iconic Herman Miller chair. Each module is self-contained, allowing smaller showrooms to show a selected set.

The exhibit modules briefly analyze the history of each chair; telling stories about aesthetic inspiration, design challenges, manufacturing processes, and materials.

Designed or adapted props help illustrate these stories: the back of an Eames chair becomes a step-by-step depiction of the plywood molding process, a tennis racquet demonstrates the suspension principle behind the ergonomics of the Aeron chair.

Photos courtesy Herman Miller.