“The Collection of Molded Plywood Furniture” Brochure
Herman Miller, Inc.
1948
This is the earliest piece of product literature written and designed by Ray and Charles Eames. Originally created for their molded plywood products when they ran the Molded Plywood Division of the Evans Products Company, Ray and Charles repurposed it for Herman Miller when the company took over both the manufacturing and distribution of Eames designs in 1948. The Eameses believed that the responsibility of a designer extended to the thoughtful presentation of their designs to the public. Thus, when Herman Miller began manufacturing Eames furniture, the Eames Office soon became involved in the design of the company’s showrooms, advertisements, and other promotional material, such as this early brochure for the Eames Molded Plywood Furniture collection. In consultation with Herman Miller’s marketing staff, the Eameses wrote copy, took photographs, and designed graphics to publicize their innovative plywood designs. Ray contributed a great deal to these efforts, and this brochure offers evidence of her process of composition. This brochure relies on the contrast between three colors to create a dynamic grid at varying scales. This grid organizes the document’s text and images, and visually echoes the systemic nature of the furniture itself.
- Medium:Printed paper
- Dimensions:Folded: 6 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (16.5 x 14 cm) Unfolded: 6 1/2 x 44 in. (16.5 x 111.8 cm)
- Item:A.2019.1.054
