George Nelson

George Nelson (* 1908 in Hartford/Connecticut; † 1986 in New York) studied architecture at Yale University. A fellowship enabled him to study at the American Academy in Rome from 1932-34. In Europe he became acquainted with the protagonists and major architectural works of modernism. He joined the editorial staff of Architectural Forum in 1935, where he was employed until 1944. A programmatic article on residential building and furniture design, published in Architectural Forum by Nelson in 1944, attracted the attention of D.J. DePree, head of the furniture company Herman Miller. Shortly after this, George Nelson assumed the position of design director at Herman Miller. Remaining there until 1972, he became a key figure of American design, also convincing the likes of Charles & Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and Alexander Girard to work for Herman Miller. From 1946 onwards George Nelson also ran his own design office, creating numerous products that are now regarded as icons of mid-century modernism, including his Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa and Home Desk. Additionally, Nelson's range of clocks such as Sunburst Clock, Star Clock or Ball Clock remain classics of their art. George Nelson's collaboration with Vitra began in 1957 and following his death in 1986 his archive passed to the holdings of the Vitra Design Museum.