For Writers
Whether your audience is fellow employees or customers, dealers or investors, or if you work here full-time or have been hired to help out on a quick project—if you write on behalf of the Herman Miller brand, these guides were created to help ensure consistency across your work and that of your fellow writers.
Introduction
If you write on behalf of Herman Miller, this guide was created to help you.
Since you’re working with us, we already see you you as a trusted professional who’s been brought on to share your expertise in corporate communications, public relations, marketing, or social media. So these guides don’t cover the basics of writing well. At some time before now, you’ve already convinced us that you can do that. This guide also skips the reminders to “be playful” or “have fun” that are so common in these types of manuals. Fun has a place and even a name at Herman Miller. You’ll develop a feel for it as you work with us.
Background
Originally founded in 1905 as the Star Furniture Company, Herman Miller has a lot of history to absorb. While it's true that there's always more to learn about our company, we've pulled together the most important things you need to know to get going.
Pedigree
Our writing expands a body of work originated by the researchers, designers, critics, and business leaders who helped shape our company.
Our Tenets
Our work is guided by a set of design tenets that represent our point of view on design for products, communications, and everything else we create.
Guidelines
We've compiled a set of our internal guidelines get you started and ensure your work adheres to our standards.
House Style
Our house style ensures that all our work is consistent, no matter where someone encounters it.
Voice
Our guidelines for the Herman Miller brand voice ensure a uniform expression of who we are—spirited, sophisticated, and as human as the people we serve.
Tone
While our voice should be consistent, our tone can and will change based on the context.
Tools
| Tool | Definition | What It’s For |
|---|---|---|
GatherContent is a cloud-based content structuring and delivery tool. | Content drafting, approval, delivery | |
Airtable is a cloud-based, collaborative data organization tool. | Taxonomy modeling, content audits | |
InVision is a platform we use to share in-progress designs and prototypes. | Prototyping, user feedback |
Resources
Reference Guides
We follow the lead of these resources on questions of spelling, grammar, usage, punctuation, and capitalization.
If you need access to the Chicago Manual of Style, get in touch with your Herman Miller editorial contact for login information.
Books About Design
These are our canonical references for historical background on our company and information about many of our most prominent furniture designers.
George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher
A complete retrospective of Nelson's work
Alexander Girard: A Designer's Universe
The comprehensive view of Girard's career output