Ray-Berenice Alexandra Kaiser Eames

Ray Eames (1912–88) was a leading American designer who worked in a variety of media including furniture, textiles, architecture, film, and toys. Ray and her partner, Charles Eames (1907–78), are probably best known for their now-famous plywood furniture pieces and for the design of their own house, Case Study 8 (1949), made mainly with standardized, mass-produced parts from builders’ catalogues (though with considerable hand-finishing). Eames graduated from Bennett Women's College in Millbrook, New York in 1933 and moved to New York City where she studied painting with Hans Hoffman. In 1940 Eames moved to Michigan and enrolled at the Cranbrook Academy of Art where she met her husband-to-be, Charles Eames, the head of the department of industrial design. Ray and Charles Eames moved to Los Angeles, designed and built their home (Case Study House 8) and opened the Eames Office. Ray Eames created textile designs, furniture designs, and even a leg splint designed for the Navy during World War II. Together Ray and Charles Eames became well-known for their furniture designs which were common in many mid-century homes.