Designer

Charles Eames (1907 – 1978) was born in Missouri and studied architecture at Washington University before opening his own office with Charles M Gray in the thirties. In 1939 he took a teaching position at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. In 1940 Eames became the head of the department of Industrial Design. His future wife Ray Kaiser was born in California in 1912. She studied painting under Hans Hoffman in 1937 and graduated from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1940. Charles and Ray Eames married in 1941. Driven by the human need for living space, comfort and knowledge, the two worked constantly in new areas of design from the 1940’s through to the 1970’s. The Eames showed and exhibition of moulded plywood furniture at the New York Museum of Modern Art, following which the Herman Miller Company began production of their designs. Their plastic armchairs were first shown in 1948 at the ‘Low Cost Furniture Design Competition, also at the museum after which followed their Case Study houses. 1955 saw their focus move with more commitment to photography and film making. Focused on the core principals of functionality, culture, knowledge and aesthetic the Eames applied the same level of detail to their every design from furniture, to houses to graphic design. The majority of their furniture items display a variety of options for materials, manufacturing methods and possible uses. Giving consideration to the economic aspects of production and materials, ensuring that products could be made and sold cheaply, created a wider market for their designs which was particularly relevant given the post-war period. Without dispute Charles and Ray Eames contribution to the progression of society and lifestyle through design is one of the strongest influences in modern times. Their relentless passion and desire to ensure form and function within every detail have created a thoroughly well deserved place in design history.

Style

Organically shaped plastic armchairs with a wide variety of bases and an assortment of colours. Now made in Polypropylene.

Product

This widely recognised design classic, the RAR chair (Rocking Armchair Rod Base) was the Eames first commercially successful design. First appearing at the Museum of Modern Art in 1948 the rocker was the first plastic chair to be mass produced. The shell of the chair is dyed throughout so the colors bold. It has a chrome plated wire ‘Eiffel Tower’ base and maple runners.

Other works

La Chaise, Eames Lounger, RAR chair, Organic chair.