Harold Matossian graphic design work for Knoll, 1971-1994 KA.0033 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit February 28, 2017 Describing Archives: A Content Standard Kellen Design Archives January 26, 2010 66 5th Ave./ lobby level New York, NY, 10011 212.229.5942 archivist@newschool.edu
Table of Contents Collection Overview... 2 Biographical and historical note... 3 Scope and Contents of Collection... 3 Organization and Arrangement... 3 Administrative Information... 4 Related Materials... 4 Keywords for Searching Related Subjects... 4 Collection Inventory... 5 Collection Overview Repository Kellen Design Archives Creator Matossian, Harold Title Harold Matossian graphic design work for Knoll Date [bulk] Bulk, 1981-1994 Date [inclusive] 1971-1994 Extent 1.3 linear ft: 3 boxes, 3 oversize folders 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. - Page 2 -
Preferred Citation note [Identification of item], [date (if known)], Harold Matossian graphic design work for Knoll, KA.0033, box, folder, New School Archives and Special Collections, The New School, New York, New York. 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. 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. Organization and Arrangement - Page 3 -
Arranged alphabetically by format. Administrative Information Publication Information Kellen Design Archives January 26, 2010 Conditions Governing Access note 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. Immediate Source of Acquisition note Donated by Harold Matossian, 2001. Related Materials A copy of The Knoll Group Identity Guidelines is held by the New School Libraries. Keywords for Searching Related Subjects Corporate Name(s) Knoll International, inc. Genre(s) Catalogs. Christmas cards. Exhibition catalogs. Invitations. Newsletters. Pamphlets. Trade catalogs. - Page 4 -
Occupation(s) Graphic designers. Subject(s) Chairs -- Catalogs. Commercial art -- United States -- 20th century. Corporate image -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. Furniture -- Catalogs. Graphic design. Office furniture -- Catalogs. Collection Inventory General, 1985-circa 1991 1 1 Corporate identity: Knoll Group Identity Guidelines, 1993 k_4 9 Corporate identity: Knoll Group standards and specifications, probably 1993 1 2 Newsletters, 1985, 1992-1994 1 3 Includes Knoll News (1985 only) and Knoll Talk, established in 1992. Pricelist book, price chart and order envelope, circa 1987 1 4 Box Folder Announcements and invitations 1981-1991 Includes announcements regarding showroom openings, Knoll-sponsored design competitions, and materials related to merchandising events. Includes invitations to events open only to Knoll employees and associates, such as retirement parties, as well as to events for a more general audience, such as Knoll-sponsored museum exhibitions and corporate events. Invitations are divided between events held in New York and events held at Knoll offices and showrooms throughout the United States and Europe. Announcements, 1983-1989 1 5 Holiday cards, circa 1990 1 6 Invitations: New York, 1981-1990 1 7 Invitations: United States and Europe, 1982-1991 1 8-9 Awards and certificates 1981-1988 1 10-12 Consists of certificates awarded to Knoll Graphics by professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), and various art directors' clubs. The recognition extends to Knoll Graphics and the various designers working within the department. The most frequently identified recipient apart from Matossian is designer Takaaki Matsumoto. Brochures and pamphlets 1984-1990s - Page 5 -
General, 1984-1989 1 13 Company brochure, 1990 1 14 Hannah Desk System Source Book [spiral-bound], 1986 2 1 Catalogs 1984-1994 Consists of catalog pages designed to be inserted into a three-ring binder. General, 1984 2 2-4 KnollExtra 1989-1993 KnollExtra is a division of Knoll selling office accessories. 1989 2 5-6 1992 2 7 1993 2 8 KnollOffice Knoll Wall System Index, 1988 2 9 KnollOffice, 1989 2 10 KnollStudio 1988-1994 1988 2 11 3 1-3 1990 3 4 1991 3 5 1992 3 6 1994 3 7 KnollTextiles, before 1991 3 8 Publications 1971-1994 Consists of printed materials produced for audiences outside of Knoll employees and associates. Knoll au Louvre is a catalog created for an exhibition held at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris from January 12 until March 12, 1972. The catalog was designed by Massimo Vignelli and pre-dates Matossian's employment at Knoll. Knoll au Louvre, 1971 k_4 9 Knoll Celebrates 75 Years of Bauhaus Design: 1919-1994, circa 1994 3 9 Workspace Issues: Creating a User-Friendly Workstation, after 1990 3 10 - Page 6 -