Everything You Need to Know About 6 of Our Favorite George Nelson Pieces
Not only did George Nelson design the first pedestrian shopping mall and pioneer modular systems, but he also created an extensive number of products that have become representative of American modernism.
As a designer, teacher, and writer, Nelson saw his work as a series of creative "zaps," which he described as being flashes or sudden realizations that he would translate into design ideas. The first true "zap" occurred in the 1930s when he was studying architecture in Rome. He began traveling Europe in order to interview top architects with the hope of getting his written pieces published. This ended up being one of the best decisions he ever made, as it helped kick off his career.
George Nelson is shown here in 1965 sitting in a Sergio Rodrigues armchair in Rio.
Courtesy of Espasso
After he became Herman Miller's director of design in 1945, he decided to form his own design firm, George Nelson & Associates. From then on, he created a number of lights, furniture pieces, and everyday objects that have become recognizable icons. Below, we’ve gathered some of our favorites and included everything you need to know—plus, you can even shop them.
Lighting the Way
This archival advertisement features George Nelson’s Ball Pendant Light. The beginning of the caption reads: "Airy, lighthearted ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Net Lights,’ designed by George Nelson, make lamps and lighting fixtures that delight the eyes and warm the heart. Their pleasing shapes are fashioned in sturdy, lightweight steel and a special translucent white plastic."
Putting a Playful Spin on Seating
Herman Miller Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
The inspiration for the Nelson Marshmallow Sofa (1956) was launched when an inventor approached George Nelson and Irving Harper with a planned self-skinned injection plastic disc that would be inexpensive to produce and unerringly durable. Though the inventor's vision for high-resiliency, low-cost cushions never came to fruition, Herman Miller chose to produce it anyway. This original is a fully licensed product of Herman Miller. Nelson is a trademark of Herman Miller, Inc. Made in U.S.A.
ShopTaking Everyday Objects to a Whole New Level
Nelson Eye Clock
George Nelson created everyday objects in the 1950s with the mission of bringing modern design into American homes. The prolific designer worked with Vitra to create a variety of wall clocks—one of which is an eye shape that’s rendered in brass and walnut. Now considered an icon of midcentury design, the Eye Clock is a distinct departure from traditional versions with faces enclosed in glass. Alternatively, the abstract eye even includes lash ticks to mark the time instead of a conventional numbered face. The hands are geometric and graphic, which is consistent with many of Nelson’s other clock designs. It can be mounted on the wall and includes a high-quality quartz movement.
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