George Nelson

George Nelson (1908-1986)

Considered as one of the founders of American Modernism, George Nelson is celebrated for designing most of the 20th century's most iconic Modernist furniture. Born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1908, Nelson graduated from Hartford Public High school before studying architecture at Yale University.

Driven towards creating aesthetically beautiful and innovative furniture, Nelson condemned any connotation of applying a set formula towards design. He was famously quoted as blasting, “Design is not science and it never will be."

Alongside winning numerous awards for his iconic furniture designs, Nelson published several books and held the role as editor for Industrial Design Magazine. The American left a legendary legacy to a future generation of designers by establishing and organising influential conferences, such as the Aspen Design gatherings.