Herman Miller Logo PNG
The Herman Miller logo is an ode to quality and unwavering consistency. This emblem reflects the elegance that the company has maintained throughout many years of its operation. Every product created under this brand is a true work of art, combining comfort with stylish, refined design.
Herman Miller: Brand overview
Herman Miller’s history began in 1905 in Zeeland, Michigan, when it was founded as the Star Furniture Company, specializing in high-quality traditional wooden furniture. D.J. De Pree, a local businessman, saw the potential in producing furniture for America’s growing middle class. 1909, De Pree invited his father-in-law, Herman Miller, to become company president. Miller, known for his vision and energy, introduced a new focus on innovation and quality.
In 1927, the company was renamed to honor Miller, who had become a majority shareholder. Around this time, the focus shifted from traditional designs to more modern styles. Like many American businesses, the company faced challenges during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Instead of cutting back, they invested in innovation, hiring New York designer Gilbert Rohde in 1931 to help develop a new line of contemporary furniture.
Rohde’s influence marked a turning point, steering the company toward modernist furniture design. This shift not only helped the business survive the Depression but also established it as a leader in modern furniture.
In 1945, George Nelson joined as design director, introducing the idea of “total design,” where every aspect of a product was carefully considered. Under Nelson’s leadership, the company introduced iconic pieces like the Marshmallow Sofa (1956), Ball Clock (1947), and Modular Storage System (1944), which became design classics.
The 1950s marked a golden era for the company. They began collaborating with Charles and Ray Eames, whose designs, such as the Eames Lounge Chair (1956), became some of the most recognized and sought-after furniture pieces of the 20th century.
In the 1960s, the firm revolutionized office furniture with Robert Propst’s “Action Office” system, which introduced modular office furniture and became the basis for the modern office cubicle.
During the 1970s, the company expanded internationally, opening European manufacturing facilities. In 1976, they launched the Ergon Chair, one of the first ergonomic office chairs, solidifying their reputation for innovative workplace solutions.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the business continued its ergonomic innovations. The Equa Chair, introduced in 1984, set a new standard for office seating, and the Aeron Chair, released in 1994, became a best-seller and revolutionized office chair design.
In the early 2000s, the focus remained on office furniture innovation, with the Mirra Chair being released in 2003, incorporating advanced materials and technology for comfort and support. The company also expanded into the home furnishings market by acquiring Design Within Reach in 2014.
In 2017, they introduced the Cosm Chair, which automatically adjusts to the user, reflecting a continued commitment to ergonomic innovation.
Despite global challenges, 2020 was notable when the company announced a merger with Knoll, another renowned furniture maker. This created one of the largest design firms in the world. In 2021, the merger was completed, forming MillerKnoll.
As part of this newly formed entity, the company will remain a leading producer of stylish and innovative office and home furniture in 2023. The firm continues to collaborate with top designers and invest in research and development to meet the evolving needs of consumers. For over a century, the brand has been at the forefront of furniture design, creating products that are functional, comfortable, and works of art. This commitment to design, innovation, and quality drives its success today.
Meaning and History
What is Herman Miller?
This well-known American furniture manufacturer gained fame for creating luxurious and ergonomic office and home furniture. Their iconic designs, such as the Aeron chair and the Eames Lounge chair, radically transformed the perception of furniture by emphasizing comfort and functionality. The company blends aesthetics and practicality in its designs, producing visually appealing and ergonomically crafted pieces. Collaborating with top designers, the brand creates furniture that often becomes museum exhibits and collectible items. Their product range includes modular office systems adaptable to changing work environments and chairs that support proper posture. The company’s products are renowned for their quality and often come with a lifetime warranty, underscoring the brand’s commitment to durability and high production standards.
1946 – 1959
The central element of the logo is a graphic symbol placed between the two parts of the name. This image consists of two red symmetrical geometric shapes that form several significant elements:
- A stylized depiction of the letter “M,” the first letter of the surname of one of the company’s founders.
- A bow tie, symbolizing nobility and aristocracy.
- A deep neckline, adding a playful and daring element.
- A crown highlighting the premium status of the brand’s products.
- Two chairs are shown in profile.
- The frame of an office chair backrest is the brand’s key and iconic invention.
This unique image was created by industrial designer Irving Harper, who actively participated in developing furniture for the company. The logo reflects the traits of avant-garde and experimentation, which are fundamental to the modernist style in Harper’s work. Modernism rejects outdated forms, striving toward the future and innovative solutions, making this symbol an embodiment of the company’s philosophy for many decades. Interestingly, the designer sketched the emblem for a furniture catalog in just 15 minutes. However, the seemingly simple image, consisting of smooth and sharp geometric lines, became one of Harper’s most famous works and an integral brand symbol.
The word “Herman” is written in lowercase letters in the script, and its design partially overlaps with the logo image. “iller” continues this style, creating a cohesive and harmonious composition. This combination of script and visual elements emphasizes the brand’s uniqueness and originality, reflecting its commitment to individuality in every aspect.
It’s worth noting that Herman Miller was neither the founder nor the head of the company. His connection to the brand stems from the fact that he was the father-in-law of Dirk Jan De Pree, one of the presidents of Michigan Star Furniture. In 1923, with his father-in-law’s help, De Pree acquired 51% of the company’s shares. He led the company until the 1960s and decided to rename it after his father-in-law, Herman Miller. Interestingly, the company had already existed for 18 years before this acquisition. The logo, which became the company’s symbol, appeared only in 1946 when the brand entered the modern furniture market and solidified its position in this niche.
1959 – 1968
The company’s emblem changed when De Pree grew older and passed the leadership to his son. The new symbol retained the key elements of the previous one, but they were placed on a black background, resembling a business card. The inscriptions and images were arranged in a strict sequence, forming a line. The brand name was now written in capital letters, symbolizing a new phase in its development. Herman Miller was no longer just the name of a real person—it had become the embodiment of a well-known and respected brand.
The updated logo’s black-and-white color palette is elegant and restrained. This choice perfectly emphasizes the company’s focus on producing high-quality office furniture. The contrasting colors add sophistication to the logo and align with the business style that distinguishes the brand’s products.
1968 – 1999
The new emblem was designed for the famous Action Office office furniture series. A key feature of this symbol was the highlighting of the unique letter “M,” which was styled as a separate icon and placed before the text part of the logo. The size of this symbol was reduced to match the level of the other letters, helping to eliminate the visual imbalance characteristic of previous versions. As a result, the visual sign became more harmonious and neat.
However, with the new logo design, there was less individuality, and the sense of a bureaucratic style became more pronounced. This decision reflected the company’s focus on functionality and professionalism, which became its main emphasis. The first and last names in the emblem were written in lowercase letters, emphasizing attention to detail and care for the comfort and convenience of customers. This design choice gave the visual sign restraint and demonstrated that Herman Miller was committed to creating an environment centered on the needs of its clients.
1999 – today
The unique letter “M” was placed inside a red circle, creating the visual effect as if it rests on a tabletop. This design emphasizes completeness and coherence, reflecting the brand’s commitment to creating not just individual pieces of furniture but harmonious office suites. The two words of the name are now written as one, symbolizing the unity and indivisibility of products designed for the full setup of a workspace.
The red color used in the logo also holds special significance. It represents the renewal of the collection, signaling the introduction of fashionable and modern approaches to furniture design. This shade conveys the energy and freshness of ideas that guide the company as it continuously evolves its products and adapts to the changing demands of the modern office.
2021 – today
The modern Herman Miller logo maintains continuity with previous versions but includes several significant changes highlighting the brand’s renewal. The recognizable letter “M” remains the primary element, but now it appears without the surrounding red circle, giving the symbol a more minimalist and concise look. This shift emphasizes the company’s focus on simplicity and functionality—values always at the core of its design.
The brand’s identity’s red color has become brighter and lighter compared to previous versions, reflecting recent changes within the company. This color choice underscores the integration with Knoll, which became part of Herman Miller. The vibrant tone represents a new era for the company and its pursuit of a more modern and dynamic image. It symbolizes unity and continued growth following the merger of two major office and home furniture brands.
The emblem’s font is sans-serif, straight, and bold, emphasizing the brand’s confidence and professionalism. This typeface makes it easily read and highly recognizable across all platforms and materials. The logo’s modern appearance underscores the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of design and technology.
The overall visual style reflects the minimalism that has been a key philosophy of the company since its founding. It’s important to note that this approach to logo design aligns with the company’s historical changes: its drive for expansion, strengthening its market position, and continuing its traditions of quality and innovation.
