Design Matters From The Archive: Massimo Vignelli

Massimo Vignelli is one of the great design artisans of our time. He has worked on everything from package design and signage, to furniture, interior design, and subway maps. He co-founded Vignelli Associates with his wife, Lella, and clients have included American Airlines, the New York Subway, St. Peter’s Church, and many others. Vignelli has said, “If you can design one thing, you can design anything.”

This interview with Massimo Vignelli, was recorded in September 2010. Massimo Vignelli died in 2014. 

On this episode Debbie talks to Massimo about his favorite typeface, his fight against vulgarity and meaningless design, and what he means by forceful design. “Design that is emotionally charged, that has intensity on whatever it does, it’s not only harmony, but provocative at the same time.”

Photograph by Beatriz Cifuentes