About Jasper Morrison

Jasper Morrison is a leading British designer, best known for his work in furniture, lighting, tableware and everyday products. Born in London in 1959, he studied design at Kingston Polytechnic, the Royal College of Art and Berlin’s HdK. In 1986 he opened his Office for Design in London, which remains his base. He seeks to design objects that fit seamlessly into everyday surroundings. Among recent projects are the seating types Zampa, APC and Iso-Lounge, the Oplight, Raami tableware, and a mobile phone. Jasper began by designing objects from ready-made components – as seen in his Handlebar Table (1982) – and selling them himself in small batches. He made his name with the Thinking Man’s Chair (1985), Plywood Chair (1988) and the 1144 Handle (1991), pieces which reduced furniture visually to its essential needs. In early exhibitions Reuters News Centre at Documenta 8 (1987) and Some New Items for the Home at the Berlin Design Werkstadt (1988), he proved his inventiveness by creating a powerful atmosphere with just three walls and a small number of objects. Aram and SCP in London, Cappellini in Milan, and FSB in Brakel were the first manufacturers to produce Jasper’s designs. He has gone on to design furniture and products for companies such as Vitra, Flos, Emeco, Magis, Maruni, Muji and Alessi. Examples include the Hal chair, the Rotary Tray, Glo-ball lighting, Alfi, Air Chair, cutlery and the Glass Family. Over the decades he has honed his expertise in designing objects that are simple and familiar in form yet characterful and refreshing. Jasper’s approach to design was reflected in the exhibition Super Normal, which he organised in Japan in 2006 with the Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa. This exhibition inspired the opening of the Jasper Morrison Shop beside his London studio in 2009. The Shop sells his designs alongside products from around the world. Jasper has published several books with Lars Müller Publishers which articulate his sensibility. These include A World Without Words, The Good Life, A Book of Things and Super Normal (with Naoto Fukasawa). He has curated and participated in many exhibitions in Japan and across Europe. His contribution to design has been recognised with membership of the Royal Designers for Industry, the Compasso D’Oro and a CBE.