Harold Matossian graphic design work for Knoll
Online Access
Available digital items: https://digital.archives.newschool.edu/index.php/Detail/collections/KA003301
Abstract
In 1979, Harold Matossian (Parsons School of Design, 1968) became director of the Knoll furniture company's graphics department, producing invitations, brochures, stationery, catalogs and other corporate literature for the company until 1994. The Kellen Design Archives holds finished examples of these graphics.
Dates
- 1971 - 1994
- Majority of material found within 1981 - 1994
Creator
- Matossian, Harold (Person)
Extent
1.2 Cubic Feet (3 boxes, 3 oversize folders)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents of Collection
The collection contains printed materials produced for Knoll during the 1980s and early 1990s by Knoll Graphics under the direction of Harold Matossian. Designers associated with Knoll Graphics during this period include Takaaki Matsumoto, Leslee Ladds, Whitney Lowe, Bernard Reynoso, Susan Schechter, and Steven Schnipper.
The collection includes materials created for internal company distribution, such as stationery, employee newsletters, corporate identity standards and guidelines, and invitations to office events. It also includes materials produced for wider audiences, such as a directory, catalogs and catalog inserts for the various divisions of Knoll (KnollOffice, KnollStudio, KnollExtra, KnollTextiles), brochures for Knoll products and events, and book-length publications.
Of note are internal publications produced to educate Knoll employees and associates about the company's corporate identity, including a 96-page spiralbound book, featuring histories of Knoll logotype and graphic design.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.
Use Restrictions
To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.
Biographical and historical note
The Hans G. Knoll Furniture Company was founded in New York in 1938 and became known for its modernist furniture collections. In 1969, the company was re-named Knoll International. During the 1970s, Knoll was primarily associated with office furniture, which is reflected by materials in the Matossian collection. In 1990, Knoll International was re-named the Knoll Group by Westinghouse.
Harold Matossian graduated from Parsons School of Design in 1968. In 1979, he became director of Knoll's graphics department, Knoll Graphics, which produced invitations, brochures, stationery, catalogs and other corporate literature. Matossian served as art director until 1994.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by format.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Harold Matossian, 2001.
- Catalogs (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Chairs -- Pictorial works (Subject) (Type of Material) Subject Source: Local sources
- Christmas cards (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Commercial art -- United States (Subject) (Places) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Corporate image (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Exhibition catalogs (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Furniture -- United States -- Catalogs (Subject) (Places) (Type of Material) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Graphic design. (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Graphic designers (Occupation) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Invitations (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Knoll International, Inc
- Newsletters (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Office furniture (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Pamphlets (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Trade catalogs (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Title
- Guide to the Harold Matossian graphic design work for Knoll
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
- Date
- January 26, 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English