For all the people who think designer objects need to make bold statements with attention-grabbing forms and materials, the revered British designer Jasper Morrison has a message: The quieter objects are often the better products.
Some of Morrison’s earliest creations, such as the 1986 Thinking Man’s chair, with its snaking tubular steel armrests, and the 1991 3 sofa deluxe, whose sculpted seat resembles an enormous wave (both produced by the Italian manufacturer Cappellini, one of the planet's preeminent producers of cutting-edge home decor), display the eye-catching moves that were expected among his contemporaries.
At the same, Morrison was clearly searching for a different language. In 1988, just three years after he graduated from London’s Royal College of Art, he stunned many in the design world with “Some New Items for the Home,” an exhibition in Berlin featuring simple plywood furniture he had designed and made himself as a direct rebuke to the over-the-top colors and geometries of the Memphis movement. As Morrison increasingly came to see statement-making design as flawed and wasteful, he began producing the subtler objects that eventually became his greatest hits and inspired a new generation of designers.
Morrison’s Glo-Ball lamps for FLOS, for instance, feature opalescent blown-glass diffusers that resemble ever-so-slightly squished spheres with a striking visual softness. Designed in 1998, the pieces were instantly popular and have remained a best seller for the legendary Italian lighting maker. Morrison’s Cork Family stools for Vitra, designed in 2004, have proved similarly timeless, with simple silhouettes reminiscent of thread spools whose unexpected material — solid cork — makes them particularly alluring.
By 2005, Morrison had befriended another designer working in a similar manner — Japan’s Naoto Fukasawa. That year, Fukasawa introduced his Déjà-vu stool for Magis at the Salone del Mobile in Milan and was dismayed when fairgoers barely noticed it. Crestfallen, Fukasawa talked to Morrison, who saw the scenario differently: The fact that people instinctively used the stool meant that it was successful. To cheer up Fukasawa, Morrison described his design as “super normal.” Morrison and Fukasawa latched onto this phrase as an ideal term for what they were up to.
Launched in 2006, Morrison and Fukasawa’s “Super Normal” — a traveling exhibition and a book that served as a visual manifesto — documented more than 200 utilitarian yet beautiful objects, ranging from a paper clip, a plastic bucket and a ballpoint pen to an Alessi citrus basket, Vitsoe’s 606 universal shelving system by Dieter Rams and Vitra’s Joyn office system by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. That same year, Morrison began playing with extreme simplicity and introduced the Crate, a wooden bedside table for Established & Sons that was modeled on an old wine crate he used for his own bedside table.
Today, Morrison delights in finding the correct balance in his designs, turning out products that seem appealingly natural and precisely what they should be.
Find Jasper Morrison chairs, lighting, stools and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Set of 2 Pipe Stacking Chair by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pipe is an essential chair. It has an aluminium tube structure and an option of seat and back in punched aluminium plate with holes (in white, black or mustard colours) for outdoor u...
Beech
Magis Air-Chair by Jasper Morrison, White Stackable Outdoor Chair, Set of 4
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Chair Price refers to the purchase of four chairs. Air-Chair is a stackable chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, appreciated...
Plastic
Set of 4 Air chair in White by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Air-Family takes its name from the “air-moulding” technology that makes it possible to create highly resistant yet super-lightweight products out of polypropylene added with fibregla...
Plastic
Set of 4 Air Armchair in Grey Antracite by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Air-Family takes its name from the “air-moulding” technology that makes it possible to create highly resistant yet super-lightweight products out of polypropylene added with fibregla...
Plastic
2018 Jasper Morrison for Vitra HAL Armchair with Black Seat and Oak Wood Legs
By Jasper Morrison, Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a HAL Armchair with natural oak wooden legs designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Vitra. This chair was specified with a black plastic seat and oak legs. The...
Plastic, Oak
Magis Motta Chair - Jasper Morrison - Red Steel and Natural oak - Set of 2
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, characterized by its essential...
Steel
4er Set Vitra HAL RE Barhocker Küchenvariante Jasper Morrison
By Vitra, Jasper Morrison
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von insgesamt vier 4er Sets Barhockern vom deutschen Premiumhersteller Vitra zum Verkauf an. Bei den Stühlen handelt es sich um die niedrigere Küchenvariante mit rund...
Steel, Chrome
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Elan Element Two Seat Sofa / Loveseat
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Elan Element Two Person Sofa/Chaise Lounge made with a metal frame and tan fabric. The sofa was designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Cappellini in Italy...
Metal
Magis Air-Armchair by Jasper Morrison, Orange Stackable Outdoor Chair with Arms
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Magis - Air-Armchair Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Armchair Air-Armchair is a stackable chair with armrests designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis. The design cont...
Plastic
Magis Air-Chair by Jasper Morrison, Dark Green Stackable Outdoor Chair, Set of 4
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Magis - Air-Chair Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Chair Price refers to the purchase of four chairs. Air-Chair is a stackable chair designed by Jasper Morrison for...
Plastic
Magis Air-Armchair by Jasper Morrison, Beige Stackable Outdoor Chair with Arms
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Armchair Air-Armchair is a stackable chair with armrests designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis. The design continues the philosophy o...
Plastic
Magis RE Air-Chair by Jasper Morrison, Stackable Chair in Recycled Plastic
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Magis - RE Air-Chair Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: RE Air-Chair RE Air-Chair is a stackable chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, developed as an environmental...
Plastic
Magis Motta Chair - Jasper Morrison - Red steel and Polypropylene - Set of 2
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, characterized by its essential...
Steel
Magis Air-Chair by Jasper Morrison, Red Stackable Outdoor Chair, Set of 4
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Chair Price refers to the purchase of four chairs. Air-Chair is a stackable chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, appreciated...
Plastic
Magis Motta Chair - Jasper Morrison - Brown Steel and Natural oak - Set of 2
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, characterized by its essential...
Steel
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Orla Two-Seater Small Sofa in Sahco Green
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Orla Small Sofa made with a metal frame and green woven fabric. The sofa was designed by Jasper Morrison and produced by Cappellini in Italy. It dates to circa...
Metal
Magis Air-Armchair by Jasper Morrison, Red - Chair with Arms - Set of 4
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Armchair Air-Armchair is a stackable chair with armrests designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis. The design continues the philosophy o...
Plastic
$1,708Sale Price / item|30% Off
Molteni & C Tea Dining Chair by Jasper Morrison
By Molteni & C, Jasper Morrison
Located in Boston, MA
Designed by Jasper Morrison The Tea chair is a tribute to lightness. The structure, completely made of solid wood, outlines and reveals the profile of the chair in its entirety. Wi...
Leather, Oak
Magis Air-Chair by Jasper Morrison, Beige Stackable Outdoor Chair, Set of 4
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Chair Price refers to the purchase of four chairs. Air-Chair is a stackable chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, appreciated...
Plastic
Padded Chair Magis Motta by Jasper Morrison, Green Steel - Set of 2 chairs
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, defined by its essential struc...
Steel
Set of 2 Plato Chair in White by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Plato chair designed by Jasper Morrison is versatile in use and well suited for domestic, professional, and public spaces - indoors and outdoors. Under- stated and with a neoclassical inspiration, hence the name that references one of the pillars of ancient philosophy, the Plato chair is the manifestation of a perfect balance between form and function. It features a sleek yet robust structure with a curved seat for maximum comfort. As Jasper Morrison declares, “a fully recyclable chair...
Aluminum
Set of 2 Plato Chair in Black by Jasper Morrison for MAGIS
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Plato chair designed by Jasper Morrison is versatile in use and well suited for domestic, professional, and public spaces - indoors and outdoors. Under- stated and with a neoclassical inspiration, hence the name that references one of the pillars of ancient philosophy, the Plato chair is the manifestation of a perfect balance between form and function. It features a sleek yet robust structure with a curved seat for maximum comfort. As Jasper Morrison declares, “a fully recyclable chair...
Aluminum
Set of 6 Air Chairs by Jasper Morrison for Magis, 1999
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Izegem, VWV
Air Chair was born out of a simple length of plastic moulded tube given to me by Perazza as a sample of a new plastic moulding technology called gas injection, which he suggested we ...
Plastic
Magis Air-Armchair by Jasper Morrison, White Stackable Outdoor Chair with Arms
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Armchair Air-Armchair is a stackable chair with armrests designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis. The design continues the philosophy o...
Plastic
2000s Set of Four Air Chairs by Jasper Morrison for Magis Italy in Green
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Air Chairs in green, designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis in 2000. The listed price includes the set of four side chairs, and we have two sets available for pu...
Magis Air-Armchair by Jasper Morrison, Green - Chair with Arms - Set of 4
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Armchair Air-Armchair is a stackable chair with armrests designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis. The design continues the philosophy o...
Plastic
Padded Chair Magis Motta by Jasper Morrison, Brown Steel - Set of 2 chairs
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, defined by its essential struc...
Steel
Padded Chair Magis Motta by Jasper Morrison, Blue Steel - Set of 2 chairs
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, defined by its essential struc...
Steel
Magis "Air-Chair" by Jasper Morrison Anthracite Stackable Outdoor Chair Set of 4
By Magis, Jasper Morrison
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Chair Price refers to the purchase of four chairs. Air-Chair is a stackable chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, appreciated...
Plastic
2022 Jasper Morrison 94in Loveseat Sofa Oblong System in Ultrasede Alcantara
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Oblong System Loveseat Sofa made with a metal frame and tan ultra suede (Alcantara) upholstery. This is sold together as a 94.5 inch sofa/loveseat, so both piec...
Metal
$3,844Sale Price / set|20% Off
PAIR OF CAPPELLINI LOTUS OFFICE LOUNGE ARMCHAiRS BY JASPER MORRISON
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Cappellini Lotus office swivel lounge armchairs desing...
Chrome
2022 Jasper Morrison for Cappellini Oblong System Sofa Alcantara / Ultrasuede
By Jasper Morrison, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an Oblong System Sofa Module made with a metal frame and a tan ultra suede (alcantara) upholstery. This is the right arm module. The sofa module and system was des...
Metal
Padded Chair Magis Motta by Jasper Morrison, Red Steel - Set of 2 chairs
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, defined by its essential struc...
Steel
Magis Motta Chair - Jasper Morrison - Blue Steel and Natural oak - Set of 2
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, characterized by its essential...
Steel
Magis Motta Chair - Jasper Morrison - Blue Steel and Polypropylene - Set of 2
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, characterized by its essential...
Steel
Magis Motta Chair - Jasper Morrison - Brown steel and Polypropylene - Set of 2
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Motta Price refers to the purchase of two chairs. Motta is a chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis, characterized by its essential...
Steel
Magis RE Air-Armchair by Jasper Morrison, Grey - Chair with Arms - Set of 4
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: RE Air-Armchair RE Air-Armchair is a stackable chair with armrests designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis. The chair represents a sustaina...
Plastic
Magis Air-Armchair by Jasper Morrison, Grey - Chair with Arms - Set of 4
By Jasper Morrison, Magis
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Magis Design: Jasper Morrison Model: Air-Armchair Air-Armchair is a stackable chair with armrests designed by Jasper Morrison for Magis. The design continues the philosophy o...
Plastic
4er Set Vitra Stühle HAL Wood mit Sitzpolster Jasper Morrison Design
By Vitra, Jasper Morrison
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Vitra HAL Wood Stühle mit Sitzpolstern zum Verkauf an. Die Stühle stammen aus dem Jahr 2021 und weisen nur geringe Gebrauchsspuren auf. Insgesamt...
Plastic, Oak