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Blog · New York · 5 Facts about Massimo Vignelli, the Designer Behind NYC’s Original Subway Map

5 Facts about Massimo Vignelli, the Designer Behind NYC’s Original Subway Map

By Martha G

takespace

1. Massimo Vignelli was an immigrant, born in Milan, Italy, in 1931.

Image Courtesy of Wikimassimovignelli

2. From Curbed New York: “Together with designer Bob Noorda…Vignelli introduced the typeface and design quirks found throughout the transit system, including the now-iconic color scheme used to denote the various subway lines.”

Image Courtesy of Jim Pickerell

3. Vignelli also designed the Bloomingdale’s shopping bags and the interior of St. Peter’s Church.

Image Courtesy of Rob Young

4. His wife, Lella, was a pioneering designer in her own right. Together, they founded Vignelli Associates in 1971.

Image Courtesy of Arwcheek

5. Vignelli was passionate about design as an art, and shared his knowledge with generations of emerging talent. Some of his publications include: The Vignelli Canon (2009) and Vignelli A to Z (2007).

Image Courtesy of Wikimassimovignelli

Want to learn more about the NYC subway? Read more on its haunted past!