George Nelson
When writing about the course of his remarkable 50-year career, George Nelson described a series of creative “zaps”—moments of out-of-the-blue inspiration “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.”
George Nelson
When writing about the course of his remarkable 50-year career, George Nelson described a series of creative “zaps”—moments of out-of-the-blue inspiration “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.”
The Storagewall
George Nelson created the first modular storage system and a forerunner of systems furniture. The Storagewall was showcased in a 1945 Lifemagazine article, causing a sensation in the furniture industry. Herman Miller founder, D.J. De Pree, saw the article and was so impressed that he paid a visit to Nelson in New York and convinced him to be his director of design, which spurred Nelson to found his design firm, George Nelson & Associates. The warm, personal, and professional relationship between Nelson and De Pree yielded a stunning range of products, from the playful Marshmallow Sofa to the first L-shaped desk, a precursor of today’s workstation.
Modern Design
Nelson said that for a designer to deal creatively with human needs, “he must first make a radical, conscious break with all values he identifies as anti human.” Designers must constantly be aware of the consequences of their actions on people and society. In fact, he declared that “total design is nothing more or less than a process of relating everything to everything.” So he said that rather than specializing, designers must cultivate a broad base of knowledge and understanding. Nelson did so as few are able, and, with the help of well-timed zaps, he helped define modern, humane design.
Products by George Nelson
Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
George Nelson's statement-making sofa is one of the most recognizable pieces of furniture to adopt an early pop-art style. Composed of 18 individual 10-inch leather cushions that seem to float on the brushed steel tubular frame, the piece makes a statement in any room. The cushions detach for easy cleaning and can easily be switched any of the 12 available colors.
Nelson Cane Bench
The Nelson Cane Bench is a genial variation of the Nelson Platform Bench, its noticeably austere predecessor. Designer George Nelson experimented with a cane version after he first came up with the original, a foundational piece from his Basic Cabinet Series. The cane surface has a little more give than the slatted-wood original, and a more tactile feel. After a long hiatus, it’s back and fresher than ever.
Nelson Cube Sofa
The striking Nelson Cube Sofa is a study in the dichotomy of hard and soft. For his 1968 design, George Nelson paired an architecturally rigorous wood frame with soft, tufted cushions for low-key lounging. As relevant today as when it was first introduced, Cube is a design that sits as beautifully in the living room as it does in the office.
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