Ray and Charles Eames A legacy of invention

Who are they?

• Charles Ormond Eames Jr (1907-1978) born in St Louis, Missouri.

• Bernice Alexandra “Ray” Eames (1912-1988) born in Sacramento, California.

Where did they study?

• Charles attended Washington University and studied architecture.

• Ray studied painting with Hans Hoffman in New York, before moving to the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan.

Eames Office (2013). Charles and Ray. Retrieved from http://eamesoffice.com/charles-and-ray/. April 2013.

What did they work as?

MoMa. (2013). Charles Eames. Retrieved from http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A1671&page_number=2&template_id=1&sort_order=1/

• Charles was an architect and co director at the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

• Ray met Charles at the Academy.

• Their first project together was the organic design and home furnishings competition in late 1940.

What made them famous?

• The competition launched their careers as furniture designers and architects.

• Their most well known piece is The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (1956).

• The chair was called “the chair of the century” by influential critic Esther McCoy.

Eames Office. (2013). Charles and Ray. http://eamesoffice.com/charles-and-ray/

Eames Lounge Chair

Eames Office. (2013). Furniture. http://eamesoffice.com/furniture/

Eames Lounge Chair

• “Boldly sculptural in form, it represents engineering and manufacturing prowess that has become emblematic of the Modern Movement. It celebrates important personalities and a mood of positivism far removed from todays world. Although created within living memory, the Eames Lounge chair recalls an era of American life and design belonging to the halcyon past.”

Eidelberg, M., Hine, T., Kirkham, P., Hanks, D.A., Peatross, C.F. (2006). The Eames Lounge Chair. London : Merrell.

Who influenced them?

• Eliel Saarinen was one of Charles’ greatest influences.

• He was a teacher at the Cranbrook Academy.

• He was from Finland.

• His style was minimal, simple and used beautiful materials.

• May Friend Bennett School in New York influenced Ray when she attended. There she studied theatre, dance and art.

What do you found interesting about them?

• Charles worked as a film set designer at the MGM Studio workshops.

• Charles was kicked out of university for his avocation of Frank Lloyd Wright.

• Ray and Charles met while Ray was studying at the Academy and Charles was employed.

• Ray died 10 years later than Charles died on exactly the same day. Interviewer to Charles Eames- “How would you define yourself with respect to a decorator? And interior architect? A stylist?. Charles- “I wouldn’t.” Berry, J.R. (2004). Herman Miller, Classic Furniture and System Designs for the working environment. London : Thames and Hudson.

How does their work continue to influence contemporary design?

• They are responsible for many classic and iconic designs of the 20th century.

• They pioneered new technologies such as fiberglass, molded plywood and plastic resin.

• Their focus on usability and functionality is still prevalent in modern design today.

Eames House

Eames, C. (1949). Charles Eames House [Photograph]. Retrieved from ARTstor database.

How does their work influence us?

• Their work is relevant to us as designers because it is so famous and iconic that nearly every office chair is related to their designs.

• Their functional approach to design influences us today.

Eames’ Work

Eames, C., & Eames, R. (1946). LCM Low Side Chair [Photograph]. Retrieved from ARTstor database.

Eames,C.,&Eames,R.(1960).Molded fiberglass stacking shell chairs [Photograph]. Retrieved from Herman Miller. Classic furniture and system designs for the working environment.

“There is no Eames style. Only a legacy of problems, beautifully and intelligently solved.” Bill Lacy.

Berry, J.R. (2004). Herman Miller, Classic Furniture and System Designs for the working environment. London : Thames and Hudson.

References

• Berry, J.R. (2004). Herman Miller, Classic Furniture and System Designs for the working environment. London : Thames and Hudson.

• Eidelberg, M., Hine, T., Kirkham, P., Hanks, D.A., Peatross, C.F. (2006). The Eames Lounge Chair. London : Merrell.

• Eames Office. (2013). Charles and Ray. http://eamesoffice.com/charles-and-ray/

• Eames Office. (2013). Furniture. http://eamesoffice.com/furniture/ • Sibthorp, F., Quin, S. (2012). Chairs, 20th Century Classics. UK : New

Holland Publishers. • Albercht, D., Colomina, B., Giovannini, J., Lightman, A., Lipstadt.,

Morrison, P. (1997). The work of Charles and Ray Eames: A legacy of invention. New York : Harry N. Abrams.

Credits

• Laura Wallace- Education, Deaths, Influence on us.

• Jessica Noone- Work, Who influenced them, Influence on us.

• Nick Finlay- Education, Interesting points, Influence on us.

• Elsie Duke- Births, What made them famous, Influence on us.

• All team members- photos and quotes.