https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa An Analysis of the designs of Charles and Ray Eames en-us 2017-08-28 10:43:22 UTC 2017-08-28 16:34:53 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Condos.png madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183075162 2017-08-28 10:49:56 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183075162 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183141162 According to The Met Museum, Charles and Ray Eames shaped nearly every aspect of American life for 4 decades. After meeting at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, they married in 1941 and moved to Los Angeles. Charles started working in the movie industry while Ray designed the covers for California Arts and Architecture journal. During this time they started to experiment with molded plywood. After finding success with their design, the US Navy contracted the pair to make splints made from molded plywood.  Their designs were both "functional and sculptural". 
In the years following World War II, the Eames' started to design furniture using plywood. The chair was designed to contour to the human body to provide maximum comfort. It went on to be known as the "Eames Chair Wood" model and is still produced today. ]]> 2017-08-28 15:15:49 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183141162 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183148798 The Eames' designs didn't stop at furniture. They also designed textiles, architecture, and graphics. Their designs were both used in domestic and commercial use. They worked to find inexpensive alternatives for working class people which I think was important for people at the time. Coming of a war put a financial strain on the entire country and many people were uncertain about the economy. It was extremely smart of the Eames to use economical materials like fiberglass, aluminum, and plywood in their designs while keeping them modern and interesting.  These designs are still manufactured today by Herman Miller and can be purchased on the Eames' office site.]]> 2017-08-28 15:36:27 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183148798 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183154476 In 1947, Designers where challenged by Nelson Rockefeller, the president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to design low-cost furniture. Rising concern for affordable housing left affordable design behind in it's wake. Below is the Eames' second place design. It was made from fiberglass and had interchangeable bases meaning that if the base broke, then that's the only part that needed to be replaced and the shell could be saved. This way the owner of the chair didn't need to go out and buy a new chair when a part was worn out.  
I don't hate this design, in fact I think it's a great idea! I just don't like the way it looks. I prefer the original Eames Chair to this one. 
When the environmental implications of manufacturing fiberglass were discovered, the Herman Miller production group switched over to polypropylene in 2001.]]> 2017-08-28 15:49:56 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183154476 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183159283 The Eames lounge chair and ottoman were inspired by the English club chairs and was designed in 1956. Combining luxury and economy-- leather and plywood-- the Eames created a chair that would become an American design icon. They wanted the chair look look worn in like "a first basemen's mitt" and be comforting. 
I think that it is interesting that the Eames' strived to make their designs not only beautiful to look at, but also comfortable. Many designers sacrifice one for the other. 
To me, this chair looks like something you'd see in the stereotypical therapist office. Not that that is a bad thing, but I think this chair is better suited for an office setting than a living room. ]]> 2017-08-28 16:04:12 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183159283 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183161554 With a background in graphic design, Ray Eames used her skills to create textiles in addition to everything else she and her husband designed. The Maharam Dot pattern was designed in 1947 for a textile competition at the MoMa and was used to cover couches and chairs. 
I think this pattern would be really cool on a couch and would be a nice accent in a monochromatic living room. It's not too busy, but there is definitely something going on. ]]> 2017-08-28 16:10:55 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183161554 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183163225 Below are some seats I'm sure we've all grown a love-hate relationship with. There's hundreds of thousands of them in airports all over the world, and yet there never seems to be enough. These chairs were designed for Chicago O'hare Airport in 1962 and where made using aluminum. One of the selling points was that they were easy to keep clean, claiming to not collect dust in the seams-- because there were no visible seams. In keeping with the Eames' dedication to creating comfortable designs, the tandem sling chairs claim to keep you comfortable even when your flight is delayed.

]]> 2017-08-28 16:16:43 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183163225 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183164776 I think that the Eames succeeded in created good design. In my opinion, most of their designs are pleasing to the eye and are pieces that evoke comfort. They added comfort to beautiful pieces which as stated before was either or for many designers. Their designs were functional and designed for the modern individual looking to furnish their home.  ]]> 2017-08-28 16:22:31 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183164776 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183165992 2017-08-28 16:26:26 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183165992 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183166270 2017-08-28 16:27:28 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183166270 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183166801 2017-08-28 16:29:21 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183166801 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183167041 2017-08-28 16:30:06 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183167041 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183167487 2017-08-28 16:31:44 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183167487 madelinelilyj https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183168307 2017-08-28 16:34:44 UTC https://padlet.com/madelinelilyj/jmecobx4slfa/wish/183168307