Herman Miller's "The Art and Science of Pressure Distribution"

Buy a Mirra. Support Ergonomic Design.

The Mirra Chair provides dynamic support so that the sitter 's body decides the pressure distribution, not the structure of the chair. Pressure intensity differs from person to person. A chair should conform equally well to all body shapes and sizes and it should be topographically neutral.

Herman Miller's Mirra Chair Solution:

The Mirra is engineered using pressure-mapping technology. The structure and materials provide topographically neutral suspension rather than foam cushions. The design distributes peak pressure zones under the ischia and lower values along the thighs and back. The Mirra avoids problem areas like the spine and behind the knees. Herman Miller worked with subjects of varying heights and weights during the development of the Mirra, experimenting also with levels of perforation and tension of suspension materials.

Buy Mirra to enjoy a carefully tuned pressure distribution system that ensures a neutral seat and backrest. Since the development of the Aeron Chair, the backrest and seat pan have been refined to provide more comfort at varying levels of pressure. The chair also takes into account the large differences in pressure that occur from small changes in the tilt of the backrest. In the process, Herman Miller developed the chair's Pixelated Support system, which conforms to the sitter's weight and results in a sensory experience of floating.

Customize and Buy a Mirra Chair with Pixelated Support System

Science Supporting the Mirra Chair

A chair needs to be designed topographically neutral so the sitter's body determines peak pressure areas. Chair designers curve the chair structure away from pressure-sensitive areas and cushion it to minimize circulation restriction. Also note that extra padding does not solve the problem because the foam density for a small woman would bottom-out for a heavier man.

Fixing the Problem:

"Is it bad to sit on my wallet with it in my back pocket?" Experts in spinal and back injuries advise severe consequences. The wallet is in an area that pushes right on the sciatic nerve and it causes an uneven load on the sacroiliac joints. Even without a wallet, high levels of surface pressure from chairs can constrict blood vessels and discomfort sitters. Researchers are experimenting with thin, flexible pressure mats that map peak pressure zones. However, depending on weight and build, people exhibit very different pressure maps.


Herman Miller Inc. "The Art and Science of Pressure Distribution." (2009). Herman Miller Solution Essays. Web.