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Alain J. Huin Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0436

Scope and Content

The Alain J. Huin Papers date from 1965 to 2008 and contain design sketches, drawings, blueprints, collection presentations, scrapbooks, photographs, trade and retail catalogs, and other papers of furniture designer Alain J. Huin, who worked for over 40 years in the design industry where he created designs for major furniture manufacturers such as Johnston Casuals, Comfort Designs, and Ethan Allen. These pieces would go on to be sold at name-brand retailers such as Crate and Barrel, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

Series 1: "Personal papers, 1965-1974, 1999" contains Huin’s curriculum vitae and correspondence.

Series 2: "Early work, 1969-1973" contains Huin's student work at the École des Beaux Arts and early work in Paris, France with the Alain Richard Agency and CEI Raymond Loewy Agency.

Series 3: "Design sketches, 1985-2007" contains Huin's large format furniture design sketches for major companies. The series is broken down into three subseries by format.

Series 4: "Furniture collection presentations, 1984-2008" contains letter sized packets of Huin’s furniture designs sent to major companies.

Series 5: "Product profile sheets, 1995-1999" contains photographs, dimensions, and a breakdown of the materials used to make furniture designed by Huin for major companies.

Series 6: "Trade and retail catalogs, 1993-2001" contains furniture catalogs that contain products designed by Huin. The series is further broken down into two subseries, Trade catalogs and Retail catalogs.

Series 7: "Photographs, 1989-1990" contains photographs of furniture designed by Huin.

Series 8: "Scrapbooks/clippings, 1995-2001" contains scrapbooks with clippings from magazine articles about Huin’s designs and work.

Series 9: "Drawings, 1986-2005" contains large rolled drawings of Huin’s furniture designs for major companies.

Series 10: "Blueprints, 1984-1999" contains large flat blueprints of Huin’s furniture designs for major companies.

Dates

  • Creation: 1965-2008

Creator

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Alain J.L. Huin is a prolific designer, having been involved in the industry of design for over 40 years. Based originally in France, Huin studied industrial design at the École des Beaux Arts and also at the École des Arts Décoratifs.

While in France, he acted as head of the industrial design department of the Alain Richard Agency in Paris and he worked with Raymond Lowey Industrial Design, producing galley equipment for Concorde, Air France, Holland Railways, and Shell International. His renowned furniture designs were chosen by the Minister of Cultural Affairs in 1972 on behalf of the French government for the Du Mobilier Naional. His designs remain in their permanent collection.

After moving to the United States, Huin worked in the office of Charles Eames and collaborated on a program of furniture design for Herman Miller. In 1985, Huin created his own practice (Alain Huin Product Design), where he created designs for major furniture manufacturers such as Johnston Casuals, Comfort Designs, and Ethan Allen. These pieces would go on to be sold at name-brand retailers such as Crate and Barrel, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

Huin, a veteran in the industry, is now retired from design, pursuing his creative passion for painting, drawing and sculpture.

Extent

10.6 Linear Feet (36 Boxes and 16 Oversized Folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Design sketches, drawings, blueprints, collection presentations, scrapbooks, photographs, trade and retail catalogs, and other papers of furniture designer Alain J. Huin, who worked for over 40 years in the design industry where he created designs for major furniture manufacturers such as Johnston Casuals, Comfort Designs, and Ethan Allen. These pieces would go on to be sold at name-brand retailers such as Crate and Barrel, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

Arrangement

The Alain J. Huin Collection is divided into ten series.

Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

Donated by Alain J. Huin in 2011.

Alternative Format Available

Digital reproductions of selected items in the Alain J. Huin Papers are available online via the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Please read the Permissions for Use statement for information on copyright, fair use, and use of UFDC digital objects.

Title
A Guide to the Alain J. Huin Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Gerald Loyola.
Date
June 2018
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755