be original americas, a nonprofit advocacy organization, committed to informing, educating and influencing manufacturers, design professionals and consumers about the economic, ethical, and environmental value of authentic design. each year, the organization has hosted an annual summer fellowship in which two undergraduate design students roll up their sleeves for an immersive five-week exploration to a multitude of member brands—invaluable exposure for rising design talents.
thanks to the coronavirus and the ongoing quarantine, however, this year’s fellowship will unfold in a slightly different way. from 15 june to 17 july, more than 25 member companies of be original americas will present a series of webinars to a global audience of design students. each session will provide exclusive insights and access to their factories, architecture, and design studios, ranging from emeco’s make things that last culture to herman miller’s inspirational archives. currently enrolled design students are welcome to attend.
so, attention all university students worldwide! want to see behind-the-scenes of what it takes to create and make original design? register now for one or all of the first be original americas virtual fellowship sessions. our member companies will welcome you from all over the world to help you discover your future career path and follow your passion.
#beoriginal @beoriginalusa
magis, the italian design company, presents a temporary ‘pop-in’ exhibition at herman miller’s new york flagship (251 park avenue south). the magis way at herman miller is an experiential demonstration of the brand spirit – the most robust ever presented in north america – and is designed by swedish firm note design studio, encompassing nearly the entire second floor of the herman miller showroom.
“it is important to us that architects, designers and design lovers can see, touch and feel our products, says alberto perazza, ceo of magis. “for us, design is in our dna and we love sharing it with the public and international design community.”
the brand’s spirit and success are based on the desire to provide a wide array of users with access to highly functional, quality products manufactured with advanced technologies. to achieve this, collaborating with major international designers is essential –they have a vision of the resulting products that is ethical and poetic as well as aesthetic.
for the magis way exhibit at herman miller, note design studio has developed a pursuit of visuals and volumes through fascinating architectural arrangements within the renaissance-revival building (designed by neville & bagge in 1909) that herman miller calls home. the stockholm-based studio began working with magis in 2018, dreaming up their exhibition spaces for salone del mobile, stockholm furniture fair and more.
a welcoming setting, this space is an invitation to discover the new and iconic designs presented within it, including plato designed by jasper morrison, the officina collection by ronan and erwan bouroullec, bureaurama by conceptual artist jerszy seymour, chair_one by konstantin grcic, the famous spun chair by architect thomas heatherwick and many more. linking the products and vignettes are new rugs from the volentieri collection designed by inga sempé, featuring different types of yarns and weaves to balance color, texture, even light reflection through a mix of neutral and luminous materials. this is a new category for magis and the first time they will be on display in north america.
magis, founded in 1976, is proud of its “made in italy” quality and tradition and speaks an international language by combining craftsmanship with technical advances in manufacturing. the magis way exhibit at herman miller expresses the breadth of their portfolio in a meaningful demonstration.
“we want visitors to feel that they’ve just discovered magis, whether they already knew the brand before they visited the exhibit or this is their first exposure to it,” says tim straker, chief marketing officer, herman miller. “this is a chance to envision magis in one’s own space, whether it’s home or at work.”
among the values shared by magis and herman miller is a commitment to creating responsible design and a strong belief in design authorship. through this relationship and the pop-in exhibition, the two companies have woven a story of creativity and applicable authored designs for north america in a real and credible way.
architects, interior designers and design lovers can visit the magis way at herman miller by contacting (212) 753-3022 to schedule an appointment, or enter through the herman miller store, taking the stairs in the back to the second floor monday through friday 11:00am – 5:00pm.
