Eames

Eames refers to the American design duo Charles and Ray Eames, who are among the most influential designers of the 20th century. They are best known for their groundbreaking contributions to architecture, furniture design, industrial design, graphic design, fine art, and film.

Early Life

Charles Eames was born on June 17, 1907, in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis but left after two years. Ray Eames (née Kaiser) was born on December 15, 1912, in Sacramento, California. She studied painting with Hans Hofmann in New York before moving to Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, where she met Charles.

Career

The Eameses moved to Los Angeles, California in 1941, where they established the Eames Office. Their work spanned various fields, but they are perhaps best known for their innovative furniture designs, particularly the Eames Lounge Chair and the Eames Molded Plywood Chair. These designs utilized new materials and techniques, such as molded plywood and fiberglass, which were revolutionary at the time.

Furniture Design

The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are iconic pieces of 20th-century furniture design. Introduced in 1956, the chair is made of molded plywood and leather and is considered a classic in modern furniture design. The Eames Molded Plywood Chair, introduced in 1946, was another groundbreaking design that utilized new techniques in plywood molding.

Architecture

The Eameses also made significant contributions to architecture. Their most famous architectural work is the Eames House (Case Study House No. 8), located in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. Completed in 1949, the house is a landmark of mid-20th-century modern architecture and is noted for its innovative use of industrial materials.

Film and Multimedia

In addition to their work in design and architecture, the Eameses were pioneers in the field of multimedia. They produced over 125 short films, including the well-known Powers of Ten, which explores the relative scale of the universe in factors of ten. Their films often combined elements of design, science, and art, reflecting their multidisciplinary approach.

Legacy

The Eameses' work has had a lasting impact on various fields of design and continues to be celebrated for its innovation and aesthetic appeal. Their designs are featured in major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

Related Pages

• Charles Eames
• Ray Eames
• Eames Lounge Chair
• Eames Molded Plywood Chair
• Eames House
• Powers of Ten