Herman Miller is a prominent American furniture company with a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1905, the company has evolved from producing traditional furniture to becoming a leader in modern design. The Herman Miller logo has undergone a few changes since its inception. The evolution of its logo reflects changes in design trends and the company’s adaptation to market needs and its commitment to modernist principles. The article delves into the history and evolution of the Herman Miller logo.
The Genesis of the Herman Miller Logo (1946 – 1959)
In 1946, the Herman Miller logo was designed by Irving Harper and featured a bold, stylised letter “M” in red. This was the first letter of one of the company’s founders’ surnames that looked like a bow tie to symbolise aristocracy. The deep neckline of the graphical element added to its premium status.
The brand name was written across the emblem in black and in lowercase. And since the letter “M” formed the emblem in the middle, the letters “iller” appeared to the right. The logo was initially printed in red with a wood-grain texture, which was later simplified to solid colours.
(1959 – 1968)
In 1959, the logo elements were retained, but the colour palette was changed. Designed by George Nelson & Co., the colour palette featured black and white with the uppercase brand name and the emblem appearing in white against a black rectangular background. The contrasting colours added a sense of sophistication to the logo and aligned the logo with the business style.
(1968 – 1999)
In 1968, the logo was redesigned by John Massey, who placed a smaller “M” emblem in black to the left part of the logo. The brand name in a black, bold, lowercase, sans-serif typeface was placed against a white background. The size of the “M” symbol was reduced to check the stack visual imbalance of the earlier logos.
(1999 – Present)
In the 1999 logo redesign, the “M” symbol in white was placed within a red circle. Designed by Brian Edlefson and Steve Frykholm, this design made the brand name in capitals using the typeface FF Meta. Both words of the brand name are now written together in red without any space in between to symbolise the unity of the product line designed for the workspace.
(2024 – Present)
To celebrate its centenary, Herman Miller unveiled a new brand identity crafted by Brooklyn-based design studio Order Bureaux. Here, while the iconic “M” symbol is drawn in red on a white background and without the surrounding red circle. Also, the brand name was written using the sans-serif Söhne typeface. This rebrand emphasises flexibility across various platforms and mediums.
The Elements of the Herman Miller Logo
Font
The Herman Miller logo features the concise, medium-weight brand name written in the traditional sans-serif typeface Söhne. This typeface bears a resemblance to commercial fonts like Sequel Sans and Celeb MF, with only minor modifications.
Colour
The colour palette of Herman Miller’s logo predominantly utilises a vibrant shade of red, which is often associated with qualities such as passion, power, and confidence.
Finally
The Herman Miller logo and its variants over the years are a testament to the company’s enduring legacy in modern design. Each iteration reflects broader trends in graphic design while maintaining core elements that resonate with its heritage. The consistent use of the “M” symbol throughout its history underscores Herman Miller’s commitment to innovation and quality in furniture design.