George Nelson - A Founder of American Modernism

George Nelson. There is just so much that could be said. His life, his influence, his designs. Where to begin? What to include? In this blog I shall be simply outlining who this master of design was, and will then focus on one aspect of his designs; his wall clocks. 

George Nelson, born 1908 in Connecticut, attending and graduated from Hartford Public High school in 1924. He then decided to study Architecture at Yale University, and during his time studying, Nelson was published in a few magazines, including pencil point. As well as being published as an undergrad, he also won the Rome Prize. 

The Rome Prize is what gave him the opportunity to study at the American Academy in Rome. From this he became acquainted with some of the important works of modernism. He interviewed modern pioneers such as Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe. 

After this, from 1935 - 43, Nelson worked for Architectural Forum, starting as an associate editor and moving on to becoming a consulting editor. It was an article that Nelson wrote and published which caught the attention of the head of Herman Miller, a furniture manufacturer. D.J. Depree, the head of Herman Miller, hired and appointed Nelson as the Director of Design, even though he had no knowledge of furniture design. Depree did not care about Nelson's lack of experience as he was more interested about the insight Nelson could bring to make furniture much more innovative. 

Whilst working at Herman Miller, George Nelson became one of the key figures of American Design. He also managed to convince other great names including Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, and Isamu Noguchi to work for Herman Miller. 

In 1946 and onwards, George Nelson ran his own design office from the money he made whilst working for Herman Miller. He went on to create numerous products that are now regarded as icons of mid-century modernism. He began collaborating with Vitra in 1957. Nelson's office also produced important architectural works and exhibition designs.

George Nelson, the great, the inspirational, died in New York, 1986. 

George Nelson had a dream too. Although not quite the same as Martin Luther King jr, it was a dream none the less. Nelson wanted to bring about modern design into all American households. He strived to achieve such a dream by creating an array of everyday household objects, such as clocks! He did so up until the '70s where clocks such as the 'Ball Clock' became iconic designs of the mid-century modernism.

George Nelson's Wall Clocks are crafted with a wide array of forms and materials. The Wall Clocks are constructed with high-quality quartz movements and offer offer a modern, aesthetical alternative to conventional wall clocks. No matter the room or the situation, there is a George Nelson Wall clock for every occasion.]

The George Nelson Wall Clock collection includes: