Contemporary Illustrators Reimagine Herman Miller Classics

Damn you, subpar Internet ads. These contemporary posters celebrating Herman Miller chairs hearken back to days when graphic design greats like John Massey reigned in the advertising world. Herman Miller has patronized some of the greatest designers of the past century: Isamu Noguchi, the Eames, and George Nelson, to name just a few. But at the same time--albeit more quietly--the company has also patronized some legendary graphic designers, tapping greats like John Massey and Don Ervin to produce iconic ads and posters as the business expanded in the 1950s and '60s. This year, Herman Miller launched a project called Then X Ten, a three-part celebration of what they call “the power of the poster.” They put out an open call for poster designs celebrating the most recognizable silhouettes, eventually garnering hundreds of entries, and hand-picked 10 contemporary illustrato...