Our Stories

Designed to Work with You 

Humanscale has been designing tools to improve the way people work and live since 1983. Guided by a commitment to simplicity, function, longevity, and sustainability, we are a global leader in ergonomic design.

From our self-adjusting chairs to effortlessly adjusted desks and monitor arms, our products work with you, bringing movement back to the workplace.

  • Simplicity

    Like living organisms, every part added to our products serves a vital purpose.

  • Functionality

    Honest, timeless, and universally relevant design starts with function.

  • Longevity

    Our products feel, look, and perform like new, even after years of use.

Our Designers

Humanscale’s in-house studio collaborates with leading designers worldwide, uniting award-winning design with advanced engineering, material science, and ergonomics.

  • Niels Diffrient (1928-2013)

    Known as the “last of the mid-century modernists,” he pioneered self-adjusting seating. Designer of Freedom, Liberty, and World.

  • Todd Bracher

    Founder of Studio Bracher, he has worked for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Issey Miyake, 3M, Georg Jensen, and Knoll. Designer of Vessel, Path, and Trea.

  • Don Chadwick

    Co-designer of the Aeron Chair, he is best known for his expertise on ergonomic design. Designer of Ballo and Sedeo.

  • Elizabeth Whelan

    Elizabeth Whelan textiles can be found in work environments and on athletes all over the world. Textile design for Humanscale.

  • Michael McCoy

    A principal at McCoy & McCoy, his designs can be found in the permanent collections, including the Cooper Hewitt and MoMA. Designer of the Horizon LED task light.

  • Peter Stathis

    Recipient of the IDSA International Design Excellence Award, he co-designed Horizon.

  • Humanscale Design Studio

    A team of industrial designers, engineers, and prototypists based in our NYC headquarters. Established 2002.

“My goal is always to design products that are so simple to use that the functionality is invisible to the user.”

  • Founded 
in 1983

  • 200+ Design Awards

  • 55+ Countries

  • A Majority of Products Are Certified Climate Positive

  • Planet Positive

    Most companies aim to reduce their impact—we’re working to reverse ours, resulting in a Climate Positive line of products. Learn how.