Herman Miller

Heritage

Herman Miller traces its roots to the Star Furniture Co., founded in 1905 in Zeeland, Michigan. In 1923 Dirk Jan DePree and his father-in-law Herman Miller acquired most of the shares and renamed it the Herman Miller Furniture Company. Facing the Great Depression, DePree turned to modernist designer Gilbert Rohde, and the company moved away from reproduction furniture.

Philosophy

Herman Miller describes its purpose as designing for the good of humankind. It pairs research on posture and ergonomics with leading designers, and has pursued sustainability goals since its 2004 "Perfect Vision" programme, including adding ocean-bound plastic to its best-selling chairs.

Iconic Works

Under design director George Nelson, the company produced the Noguchi table, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, the Marshmallow sofa and the Eames Aluminum Group. The Herman Miller Research Division introduced Action Office II, the origin of the office cubicle, and Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick designed the Aeron Chair in 1994.

Today

After acquiring Knoll in 2021, the company became MillerKnoll, a group that also includes Design Within Reach, HAY, Muuto, Maharam and NaughtOne. Herman Miller continues to remaster its classics, such as Aeron in 2016 and Mirra 2 in 2014.