February 15, 2023
Herman Miller Introduces Bound: Acoustic Screens Designed to Deflect Distractions
Bound Collection Offers Flexible Options for Fostering a Sense of Focus in the Office

Research has shown that employees’ ideal workplace is centered on choice—the ability to offer different flexible spaces, tools and technology that can meet the needs of any task at hand. Considering just how varied—day-to-day, team-to-team, person-to-person—those activities can be, this can be a challenging feat to accomplish in a shared space. As part of a continued effort to expand flexible workplace solutions for clients, Herman Miller today introduced Bound, a series of acoustic, pinnable boundaries that absorb sound and block out visual distractions.  

A study researching the impact of distraction published by the University of California Irvine1 found that after an interruption, it can take someone over 23 minutes to refocus. Bound is both a beautiful and useful solution to minimize distraction and maximize the flow of work and creativity. Easily moved or attached to work surfaces, Bound screens allow for better focus. For more collaborative moments, pinnable acoustic boundaries can be added.  

“We developed Bound to help people create their best work,” said Ben Watson, President, Herman Miller. "In today's workplace, we cannot always find isolated places for focus, but we can equip workstations with better tools. The Bound Collection is specifically designed to minimize distractions or foster collaboration, depending on employees’ needs." 

To create the Bound collection, the team at Herman Miller partnered with sound specialists to develop a hyper-flexible acoustic screen portfolio, ensuring customers can find the perfect solution for each space and the activities occurring within them. The collection includes desk, freestanding, and booth options, available in 50mm or 30mm widths. Whether work-top mounted or freestanding, each screen is soft in form, quiet by function and available in colors that exude an inviting aesthetic. Each Bound screen is created from 60% recycled content and is 99% recyclable at end of life.2 

For pricing and availability, please visit your nearest Herman Miller Dealer or online at www.hermanmiller.com. The Bound Collection is currently available to customers in Herman Miller’s European markets. 

 

About Herman Miller

Over the last century, Herman Miller has been guided by a commitment to problem-solving designs that inspire the best in people. Along the way, Herman Miller has forged critical relationships with the most visionary designers of the day, from mid-century greats like George Nelson, the Eames Office, and Isamu Noguchi, to research-oriented visionaries like Robert Propst and Bill Stumpf—and with today’s groundbreaking studios like Industrial Facility and Studio 7.5. From the birth of ergonomic furniture to manufacturing some of the twentieth century’s most iconic pieces, Herman Miller has pioneered original, timeless design that makes an enduring impact, while building a lasting legacy of design, innovation, and social good. Herman Miller is a part of MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world we live in. For more information, visit  www.hermanmiller.com/about/our-story.

 

1Mark, Gloria & Gudith, Daniela & Klocke, Ulrich. (2008). The cost of interrupted work: More speed and stress. Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings. 107-110. 10.1145/1357054.1357072. 

2Based on available recycling facilities