In honor of Alexander Girard’s birthday today, we share this 1972 poster advertisement from Herman Miller. Girard designed these graphics for Herman Miller’s Environmental Enrichment program and they were meant to be used within the Action Office system. The images were silkscreened on textile panels, which then could be affixed to a variety of flat surfaces to liven up an otherwise dull office environment.  The designs are one of the last projects Girard did for Herman Miller in their storied 22 year history.

More images of these panels can be found over on the Herman Miller blog.

Herman Miller poster (37 in. x 24 in.), Environmental Enrichment designed by Alexander Girard, 1972, FF71, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana.(MHG_III_FF071_001)

Alexander Girard’s “Love Heart.”

Rita Reif, “It Would Have Been Perfect for Valentine’s Day,” New York Times, 14 February 1972, 2/12, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana.(MHG_Ia_B002_f012_061)

Girard’s One to Forty-Nine (MH2010.3) was being damaged by moths. Once the moths were killed, the box with feathers was treated with hair spray.

Note by Barbara Voelz,10 August 1972, 5/60 Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B005_f036_060)