George Nelson (Designer)

George Nelson ( * May 29, 1908 in Hartford, Connecticut; † 5 March 1986 in New York City ) was an American designer and architect.

Biography

Nelson studied architecture at Yale University in 1924 until 1928. A scholarship took him from 1932 to 1934 at the American Academy in Rome. He made as co-editor associate editor, and consultant editor 1935-1943, 1944-1949) of the journal Architectural Forum attracted attention. Nelson became in subsequent years become one of the most influential design theorists of the United States. He was design director for Herman Miller in 1946, a position he held until 1972. In addition, in 1947 he, together with Gordon Chadwick established an office for industrial design. George Nelson was Charles and Ray Eames Herman Miller bind to long term. During Nelson's tenure at Miller Eames came to their greatest successes. The designer Charles Pollock developed with Nelson Swag Leg Chair together to before he collaborated with Knoll International and Jerry Helling of Bernhardt Design since 1958.

George Nelson 's designs were groundbreaking in particular in the office furniture sector. Today, the Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa and the wall and table clocks are among the most famous designs Nelson. His creative freedom he derived from the realization that human needs are varied and often unverhersehbar hardly quantifiable, but complex, subtle and mysterious. George Nelson has received numerous prizes and awards.

Awards (excerpt)

• Rome Prize for Architecture, 1932
• Best Office of the Year, New York Times, 1953
• Gold Medal, Art Directors Club of New York, 1953
• Good Design Award, Museum of Modern Art, 1954

Draft (excerpt)

• Action Office Desk ( 1964)
• Sheet Ball Clock ( 1950 )
• Platform Bench ( 1950 )
• Marshmallow Sofa (1956, together with Irving Harper )
• Modular sofa system (1956 )