When William Morris founded the company—which would later become Morris & Co.—together with friends in 1861, Great Britain was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. The rise of machine production was transforming not only the way goods were manufactured but also the relationship between design, craftsmanship, and labor. Morris countered this development with an idea that would later have a decisive influence on the Arts and Crafts movement: Good design and craftsmanship should not be separated from one another.
To this day, this idea forms the foundation of Morris & Co.’s work. With a new campaign, the British brand is shining a spotlight on the artisanal processes behind its wallpapers and textiles, thereby building on the design principles of its founder.