Vignelli: (not quite) From A to Z

The following extracts, interpretations, observations, misunderstandings or tangental connections are loosely or precisely taken from the great man's book. Presented here with my apologies to Mr V: 

A) Ambiguity: Fun to play with, it can enrich work and instill "a sense of timelessness"...but handle it with care. 

B) Books: "The task of the designer is to transform an ordinary object into an extraordinary experience." 

C) Chromotype: Vignelli's term used to represent "identification by the consistent use of colour connected to all graphic aspects of a company's communication media". Also: Phonotype for sound (think Intel Inside) and Morphotype for a form identifier (as in the shell for...well, you know what). 

D) Discipline: "...what makes us responsible towards ourselves...our clients...the society in which we live." 

E) Education: "The best education is generated by an insatiable passion to learn more..." 

F) Furniture: Here he mentions his theory of "Identity and Diversity" in which a limited number of elements can be arranged and rearranged while a clear and recognisable identity is retained. 

G) Garments: Applying a modernist/reductionist approach Vignelli designed a range of cloths to suit his own needs. Some still look cool,elegant and timeless; others look like they're costumes for a 70s sci-fi film. In the context in which I read the book, our rainy holiday in Donegal, this bit highlighted just what a superb but underrated garment the pack-a-mac is; a great and unfashionable example of form and function.  

H) Helvetica: I didn't know that Vignelli was, literally, the man responsible for Helvetica reaching the US. 

H) History: "...artefacts generated without knowledge [of history] ultimately express their ignorance, shallowness and fundamental uselessness." 

I) Interiors: "The real challenge is to design a space in a way that will create an impact and remain forever ingrained in the mind..." 

L) Lighting: "To control light is to darkness, as well as articulate and manipulate emotions, objects, spaces, feelings, life." 

M) Magazines: "Magazine design means organising information in the clearest way possible; to achieveimpact, memorability; to involve the reader...to establish a relationship...a bond." 

N) Newspapers: To design a newspaper means to organise in such a way that it will facilitate the make-up of each issue, its production...and then (see Magazine). 

O) Objects: "To design objects is to play with light." 

P) Packaging: "If protection is the primary function of packaging, deception has been more often the motivation...packaging can sell once, but only a good product will ensure continuous sales." 

Q) Quality or Quantity: "The moral imperative should be to reduce the ugliness around us...and replace it with decent, unselfish design."

R) Responsibility: "Responsibility is not only an ethical attitude but an approach that stands for quality and is economically sound as well."

S) Structure: In graphic design, "...without [structure] the content is loose and in that randomness, the message is lost."

S) Style: Style = Intellectual elegance

T) Typography: Structure comes first. Typeface comes second.

U) Universities: "University training will provide...the proper cultural level to give depth to [a designers] work...to make...the responsible designers that society needs."

V) Vignelli Associates: In this last bit Vignelli gives a brief overview of his studio and takes the opportunity to commend and thank his most notable empoyees.

Comments

[Neil]

So it's a worthwhile buy?

[Richard]

Worth every penny!

[Carlo]

Massimo is one of the very few today's "real" designers. Try to read aso "Design is one", by the same publisher, for a better knowledge of Massimo and Lella's (master)works.

[Richard]

Thanks Carlo, I will.

[Carlo]

Hi Richard,
by the way of Mr. V:

http://www.vignelli.com/canon.pdf

The book will printed soon but Vigelli pur the pdf version for free on his website.
A must-have!

Bye
Carlo