Herman Miller

-Herman Miller-

Inventive designs, technologies and related services that improve the human experience wherever people work, heal, learn and live.

The Story Behind the name...

 

Herman Miller was a West Michigan businessman who helped his son-in-law, D.J. De Pree, buy the Michigan Star Furniture Company in 1923. De Pree had been working at the company, which opened in 1905, since he was hired in 1909 as a clerk. De Pree knew his father-in-law was a man of integrity, so he decided to rename the company after him.
By the middle of the 20th century, the name Herman Miller had become synonymous with “modern” furniture. Working with legendary designers George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames, the company produced pieces that would become classics of industrial design.
Since then, we’ve collaborated with some of the most outstanding designers in the world, including Alexander Girard, Isamu Noguchi, Robert Propst, Bill Stumpf, Don Chadwick, Ayse Birsel, Studio 7.5, Yves Béhar, Doug Ball, and many talented others.
Today, in addition to our classic pieces and new designs for the home, Herman Miller is a recognized innovator in contemporary interior furnishings, solutions for healthcare environments, and related technologies and services. A publicly held company headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan, we have manufacturing facilities in the United States, China, Italy, and the United Kingdom and sales offices, dealers, licensees, and customers in over 100 countries.

  

Assignment:   Assigned a company. research your company, based on what you find, answer these questions.
1.) As a consumer, what about their branding do you find most successful and attractive?
2.) As a designer, what can you take away from their philosophies in branding, to apply to how you will approach branding in the future?
3.) Which piece of branding do you find most unique and interesting?

1- Being a consumer the things I find most attractive and successful about the Herman Miller collection is the design and distinctive look that the Herman Miller design owns. The structure is unique and recognized. Seeing a product the Herman Miller name comes to mind. That's how you know that a product is successful.


2- How I will approach branding in the future is to continue the basics that WORK for branding like advertisement, and marketing. I believe in trying new things, I think that being a designer trying new things is a MUST. Herman Miller is know for their employee benefits and appreciation . Herman Miller continues to win awards and gain recognition more and more each and every year.

3-The piece of branding I find most interesting and unique is how Herman Miller treats their customers. Their versatile, flexible products give people real choices. If they need something extra, they can do that too. They have a process--and a long track record--for making unique products. The response is fast; 95 percent of the time they issue a quote in 24 hours. The prices are reasonable, on average about 5 percent over our standard products. Best of all, the result is specific to each customer. All Herman Miller work is world wide recognized and acclaimed.

Herman Miller Awards for 2012

Herman Miller named "Corporation of the Year" in the commercial products sector by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council.

Herman Miller receives Candidate Experience Award, an honor given to companies who best represent a quality engagement strategy.

Herman Miller Healthcare first manufacturer to earn exclusive Planetree Visionary Design Network status.

Herman Miller achieves ninth consecutive listing on Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.

Herman Miller receives fourth Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) award from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Herman Miller listed among IndustryWeek magazine's 50 Best Manufacturing Companies.

Herman Miller inducted into the "Made in USA Hall of Fame" for its commitment to US Manufacturing.

Herman Miller wins a Gold Stevie Award in the Company of the Year - Consumer Products - Durables category in the tenth annual American Business Awards.

Herman Miller and A Better World wins a Silver Stevie Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year - More Than 2,500 Employees category in the tenth annual American Business Awards.

Herman Miller recognized with 2012 Huntington Pillar Award, given by the Women's Resource Center to companies who demonstrate outstanding dedication to empowering women in the workplace.

Herman Miller selected by the Sustainable Asset Management Group for inclusion in "The Sustainability Yearbook 2012."