While a student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in the late 40′s early 50′s, Niels Diffrient also worked as a designer and model-maker in Eero Saarinen‘s practice. This is just the beginning of an illustrious design career in which ergonomic study and design has become a passion and expertise. Designing office seat furniture for Knoll and Sunar-Hausermann in the 80′s preceded Diffrient’s current pursuits at Humanscale, the ergonomic workplace furniture and accessories design manufacturer.
Diffrient in his studio
Jefferson Chair for Sunar-Hausermann, 1983
Humanscale: Diffrient Work Light II
Humanscale: Liberty Chair
What is your favorite example of great design?
EARTH
What is the most memorable moment in your career as a designer?
BIRTH
What is the most important factor that influences and/or inspires your design process?
SLEEP
2 Comments
Working as I do so often with the great Niels Diffrient, it is sheer pleasure and enlightenment. A man of few words as you can tell – but in person – there’s more than a few and they are truly respectful, responsible and often remarkable.
Niels Diffrient is one of my personal heroes, in that I’m fortunate to have (and, over the years, virtually live in) his Jefferson chair, with ottoman, computer table, and light table, acquired in the late 80′s. I had to be separated from it for 18 months, and it returned wounded from storage. When I sit down, it flips into recline. From years of conditioning, when it flips into decline, I flip into sleep. This isn’t a productive state for either of us. I’m desperately looking for someone who can repair it. I live in New York City. My Email is cwlabine@aol.com. Can anyone help? Thank you so much!