“If you can design one thing, you can design everything,” was the ethos of the late Italian designer, Massimo Vignelli (1931–2014) . At age 16, Vignelli began studying and working with a local architect. Then, at 18, he studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and later at the Universita di Architettura in Venice.
After visiting the USA on a fellowship from 1957-1960, Vignelli returned to NYC in 1966. He started the New York branch of Unimark International. During this period, Vignelli designed the iconic New York City Subway signage. This was not without controversy, as he had focused on creating the subway lines into a neat, clear diagram instead of striving for geographical accuracy.
In 1957, Vignelli married Lella, a designer whom he had met at an architecture convention. Massimo and Lella moved to the USA permanently in 1965 and later founded their design firm Vignelli Associates in 1971. High profile clients at the company included Bloomingdale’s, American Airlines, IBM and Knoll. Vignelli’s work spanned a vast array of areas. From homeware and furniture design to public signage and showroom design, he worked firmly within the Modernist tradition.
The Vignelli Center For Design Studies opened in September 2010. Massimo himself said of it, “The Vignelli Center for Design Studies will house our comprehensive archive of graphic design, furniture and objects… the center will foster studies related to Modernist design with programs and exhibitions on our work as well as other related subjects.”
© 2021. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only
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| Massimo Vignelli |
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| Lella and Massimo Vignelli |
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| Massimo Vignelli poster |
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| Designers pay tribute to Massimo Vignelli through 53 posters |
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| Industrial Design Cover, 1969 |
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| Unfinish modern cover |
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| 1972, MTA Subway map |
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| 1972, MTA typography standards manual |
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| 1972, MTA Posters, installation view |
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| 1972, MTA signage standards |
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| 1972, MTA signage |
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| 1978, Lancia brand |
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| AMerican Airlines Identity |
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| AMerican Airlines Identity |
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| Bloomingdale packaging |
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| Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa Identity |
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| Helvetica Hotel identity |
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Knoll International book cover
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Knoll International graphic standards manual
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Knoll International poster
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| 1977 Saint Peter's Church, New York, Identity |
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| 1977 Saint Peter's Church, New York, Interior |
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| Poltronova Saratoga Furniture Line, 1964 |
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| Modern Italian Black and white Marble Side Table, 1970 |
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| Kono Dining Table by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, 1980's |
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| Arper Saya chair MarcoCovi Collection |
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| Heller Stacking Dishes, designed in 1964 by the Vignellis |
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Metafora Table for Casigliani
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| Onda Airport by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Poltrona Frau |
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| Pair of Mid-Century leather Intervista Chairs by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltrona Frau |
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| Serenissimo Round Dining Table by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Acerbis, Italy |
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| Set of 4 Handkerchief dining chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Knoll, 1980s |
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