Massimo Vignelli

 

I first discovered Massimo Vignelli through his interview in the film, Helvetica a few years ago. Recently, I learnt of his death.

Italian-born designer, Massimo Vignelli worked in a wide variety of areas, including graphic and package design, furniture and product design, corporate identity programs, architecture graphics and interior design. He worked firmly within Modernist tradition, and focused on simplicity. In the mid-1960s, he introduced European Modernist design philosophy to the U.S, which influenced and inspired many designers.

These are two of his most influential projects:

American Airline

hen Mr.Vignelli designed the logo in 1967, he designed it without the eagle (he refused to do that), so it was just a blue “A” and a “red A” with Helvetica! That was bold and brave.  Even the pilots threatened to go on strike because of it. However, even though it was controversial at the time American Airlines continued to use this logo for 46 years until they unveiled the new logo in 2013.

 

New York Subway Map

The above is his most well-known-yet- controversial project. The complaints flooded in right after the MTA in New York introduced the new map of the subway, as he had focused on the geometrical routes instead of the geographic accuracy.

Recently someone stumbled upon the “New York City Transit Authority Graphics Standards Manual” in a locker in an old gym in New York and shared it on internet, check it out here:

 

And more works below:

 

Vignelli quotes:

We like design to be visually powerful, intellectually elegant, and above all timeless

 

If you do it right, it will last forever

 

The life of a designer is a life of fight against the ugliness

 

If you can design one thing, you can design everything

 

Design is one

I found a film about him and his wife, Lella on Vimeo.

Thank you Massimo, your designs and words will continue to inspire.

DESIGN IS ONE: LELLA & MASSIMO VIGNELLI - Trailer from Roberto Guerra on Vimeo.