What is an Eames Chair?
An Eames chair is simply any chair designed by the legendary American mid-century designer Charles Eames. Yet, there are some, more than others, who claim to have built that reputation. Let's examine this further.
The original Eames Office chair produced furniture designs for forty years after all, so there would be plenty to choose from. There is no question that what makes an 'Eames Chair' is much more than that. In this article, we take a look back at what made the original 'Eames Chair' so special and which ones stood out as the most outstanding.
When we consider that everything can be viewed backwards, we can more easily imagine that everything was created or received equally. Creativity requires 'breakthrough moments', and one thing can easily lead to another, as those involved in the process will tell you. Despite the fact that the Eames chair did wonders for many years, the Eames portfolio can and should be narrowed to those designs that truly forged the reputation that became known as the 'Eames Chair'.
We will look deeper and select the three most iconic eames chair designs, those that made it clear something is not merely a 'chair' nor a 'designer chair' nor even a 'modern chair', but an 'Eames Chair'.
We can take into account those involved in the project's hard work, determination, and effort, can't we? Given the success of the Eames Office, not only with this project but throughout its history, it is a given! Inventors and designers must be committed to their projects and let's be honest, even failures can be indicative of commitment. MOMA, Herman Miller, Timing and Styling are a few of the things we believe make the DCM so extraordinary. Let's explore this further.
MOMA
Museum of Modern Art, or MOMA, is New York's abbreviated name for its location on 53rd street, where it remains today. Back in 1940, Charles and colleague Eero Saarinen won prizes at an earlier design contest for 'organic design' at the Museum. Even though the exhibition could be considered commercial rather than merely educational, the museum bent its rules to allow it. The relaxation of protocol was one of the catalysts for the DCM and other plywood designs, which we can thank the heavens for. There is no doubt that the real need for postwar stimulation played a crucial role in the decision, and let's face it, the design was ultra-modern for its time. An extensive furniture brand, as well as a number of new products, were showcased at the three-week exhibition (13th to 31st March 1946).
Herman Miller
A furniture 'startup' turned its fortunes around by the help of Herman Miller. Evans Molded Plywood Division and Charles Eames were collaborating on a project that was uncharted territory after World War II. In spite of the Eames Office's ambitions, their reluctance to 'go all in' was hindering its progress. Herman Miller Furniture Company steps up to the plate.
His sway and respect throughout the industry as director of design at Herman Miller were immense. At the MOMA exhibition of the new plywood furniture, he introduced the Miller bosses to Charles Eames' work. Almost as if by design, the merging of the product and design, Evans Company's reluctance and Herman Miller's interest were almost perfect. A distribution agreement was negotiated and Miller was selected as the sole and exclusive distributor. It is most likely this factor that has contributed to the DCM's success, as well as the success of the entire Eames Office collection. Furniture giant Herman Miller had showrooms in many major US cities and a marketing team at the top of the industry, a time of great prosperity!
Herman Miller would push the product to new boundaries with their expertise and faith in new design. By using clever and eye-catching marketing campaigns, they created and sustained the legend of the 'Eames chair', elevating it to 'world famous' as 'cutting edge' as 'the Eames Chair'. There were advertisements in major periodicals of the time, sales were climbing, breakthroughs had been made, and the proverbial moon shot was under way.
As a time when the 18th and 19th centuries was still the norm, Herman Miller recognized that the DCM would 'tick the boxes' of customers. It is this which prompted the marketing strategy that referred to it as the center of attention, as the star of the show. Among Herman Miller's own historical records, some 18,000 of the 21,526 plywood group chairs sold in 1952 were DCMs.
Bottom Line
A legendary American designer, Charles Eames, created the iconic 'Eames Chair'. Since the original Eames Office produced furniture designs for forty years, the effort, dedication, and determination of those involved must be considered. The following are three defining eames chair designs that planted the idea that something isn't just a chair, designer chair, or modern chair, but an 'Eames Chair'
In a clever and eye-catching marketing campaign, Herman Miller used its expertise and belief in new design to create and maintain the legend of the 'Eames Chair'.