George Nelson (1908-1986) was an American industrial designer. While head of the Herman Miller furniture company, Nelson also created some of the most iconic 20th century’s modernist furniture within his own studio; George Nelson Associates. His most famous works include the Marshmallow sofa, the Nelson Bubble lamp collection and the Starbust Clock.

George Nelson was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1908. After graduating from Yale with a degree in architecture, he decided to pursue a second bachelor in Fine Art, from which he graduated in 1931. Nelson then received a fellowship, enabling him to study in Rome where he became acquainted with leading figures of the European modernism movement. A prolific designer, his style varied from whimsical designs such as the Marshmallow sofa, to functional furniture system such as the Rosewood group. As head of the Herman Miller furniture company but also of his own studio, George Nelson produced a considerable amount of work, and is now considered as one of the founders of the American modernist movement. Today, his archive is overseen by the Vitra Design Museum.