Behind the Design: Herman Miller Remasters the Classic Aeron Chair

As anybody who sits in front of the computer for at least eight hours a day knows, a great office chair is an absolute necessity if you plan on walking upright without pain any time in the next 20 years (or good heavens, the next 20 minutes).

And unsurprisingly, behind every great office chair is a deep knowledge of human-centered design. When it comes to the upper echelon of the modern office chair, it’s hard to have a conversation without mentioning the Aeron from Herman Miller.

The brainchild of design engineers Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick, the Aeron provided a gigantic step in human ergonomics and material innovation without the standard use of foam, fabric, or leather when it was released in 1994. Unsurprisingly, the Aeron took off as the office chair of choice in many web startups during the 1990s.

But just like computers and cloud services, office chairs need a reboot every once in a while, too.

Earlier this year, Herman Miller tapped Don Chadwick to start from scratch and remaster the Aeron for a new generation. New features include an updated suspension system, a new tilt mechanism, additional spine support adjustments, and more while also stripping off weight.

Says Herman Miller:

“While its iconic form has remained largely unchanged, the Aeron Chair has been remastered from the casters up to meet the needs of today’s work. With the help of original co-designer, Don Chadwick, we thoughtfully updated the chair based on the latest research around the science of sitting, and advancements in materials, manufacturing, and technology.”

Find out more over at Herman Miller.