Remembering massimo vignelli, acclaimed designer of controversial 1972 subway map may 28th, 2014 massimo vignelli, the influential graphic designer who reimagined the mta new york city transit subway system as a neat grid of colored lines surrounded by a beige ocean, died tuesday in. Its hard to find someone whos neutral about massimo vignelli s iconic new york city subway map, created in 1972 following his larger redesign with bob noorda of. Mighty wallet is the original, invented in 2005, that launched a global trend of wallet designs made with tyvek. The great new york subway map the story of new york citys subway map begins many years before massimo vignelli designed the version that is now hailed as a design classic. Nyc subway map new york subway subway art massimo vignelli moma graphisches design graphic design abrams books new museum pdf download chitty chitty bang bang by ian fleming free epub good books books to read my books cd audio audio books bang bang nashville public library books for tweens tween books. It reminds me, in fact, of the postvignelli subway mapaccurate in a literal sense. Many transit maps for the new york city subway have been designed since the subways. When designer massimo vignellis redesigned new york city subway map appeared in 1972, people were less than enthusiastic. Massimo vignelli, an acclaimed graphic designer who gave shape to his spare, modernist vision in book covers and shopping bags, furniture and corporate logos, even a. He uses numerous examples to convey applications in practice from product design via signaletics and graphic design to corporate design. Apr 29, 2008 the vignelli designs commissioned map is an updated interpretation of the existing ny map created in a limited edition of 500 pieces and signed by massimo vignelli himself. The 1972 map of new york citys subway system by massimo vignelli has often been seen as a polarising map in design terms.
An historical catalogue of maps of the new york city subway system. Graphic designers make books, magazines, diagrams, signs, logos, and many other things. Vignellis 1972 diagrammatic subway map is hailed as a design classic. In the case of vignelli and the nyc subway, the problem wasnt about making a great looking visual system and gridded map for the design communityit was about effectively helping people navigate a complicated infrastructure by giving them the right amount of. Pdf download the great new york subway map by emiliano. Browse massimo vignellis nyc subway manual on twitter by john brownlee 1 minute read created in 1972, massimo vignellis revamp of the new york city subway map was as heralded by design nerds. This very detailed map of the new york subway system, was designed by the italian american designer, massimo vignelli. Vignelli s map as i come from a generation no hard feelings that knows only the current design blah. Massimo vignelli explains his infamous 1972 new york subway map and the controversy it caused. The color scheme for each route has remained basically the same although the representation of the routes have changed. May 23, 2014 the vignelli subway map of the future posted on 23 may 2014 by keith williams in a post yesterday on curbed, i reworked several maps to incorporate planned but unbuilt subway routes. As described in the daily news 8672 in order to stress the transit routes themselves, the geographical features of the city are faded into the background in.
Massimo vignelli, visionary designer who untangled the subway. He was the cofounder of vignelli associates, with his wife, lella. Oct 23, 2015 the new york city subway map redesigned. Nyc subway diagram 2008 by massimo vignelli for mens vogue. Here we get to see some of massimo vignelli s metro subway map ideas, even though they werent actually used.
The new york city subway map redesigned tommi moilanen. Interborough rapid transit irt, brooklyn manhattan transit bmt, and independent subway system ind. The vignelli subway map of the future the weekly nabe. Graphic design legend massimo vignellis nyc subway design. May 11, 2014 the famous italian designer massimo vignelli allows us a glimpse of his understanding of good design in this book, its rules and criteria. This book is dedicated to the memory of lella and massimo.
Massimo vignelli explains his iconic 1972 new york city. A vintage 1970s massimo vignelli subway map, noted for its clean, abstract aesthetic, has been uncovered at the 57th street6th avenue f train subway station. N however, attention has been given to preserve the relative position of each station. The great new york subway map emiliano ponzi ponzi the great new york subway map nearly 6 million riders use the new york city subway every day. Vignelli, designer of famous subway map, defends his version. May 28, 2014 massimo vignelli, an acclaimed graphic designer who gave shape to his spare, modernist vision in book covers and shopping bags, furniture and corporate logos, even a church and a new york city. Vignelli would later use that typeface in a 1972 map of the new york city subway, itself celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. At the time, massimo vignellis diagrammatic map was enjoying a period of rediscovery. The new york city subway map redesigned tommi moilanen medium. The 1972 map recalls the look of the much hailed 1930s designed london underground map. The subway map was completely redesigned by massimo vignelli. For every one person who characterises it as a striking piece of design or commending its beautiful aesthetics, another will point to the geographical liberties it took.
Classic 1970s new york city subway map designed by italian artist massimo vignelli. January 10, 1931 may 27, 2014 was an italian designer who worked in a number of areas ranging from package design through houseware design and furniture design to public signage and showroom design. Jan 19, 2017 in the case of vignelli and the nyc subway, the problem wasnt about making a great looking visual system and gridded map for the design communityit was about effectively helping people navigate a complicated infrastructure by giving them the right amount of information when they needed it. Influential subway map designer michael hertz passes away at 87. Aint that just the prettiest little thing you ever did see. Are you looking for free downloadable nyc subway map vector for your non commercial projects. A groundbreaking work of information design, the subway map continues to be used by over a billion people each year. During the 1970s, the new york subway map wasnt just an efficient way to explain how to get places it was an iconic piece of abstract graphic design revered throughout the industry. Massimo vignelli, celebrated designer whose work included nyc. Massimo vignelli nyc transit map uncovered in a midtown.
On vignellis map, subway lines were enticing ribbons of color that ran. Peter lloyd uncovers the history of the vignelli map that includes the legacy of the people who created and promoted this new york iconas well as those who hastened its demise. Take a look inside massimo vignellis famous 1972 subway map. The great new york subway map by emiliano ponzi moma and new york transit museum. The nycta graphics standards manual contains scans of massimo vignelli.
This is a very detailed map of the new york subway system, designed by the famous italian american designer, massimo vignelli, 1972. The famous italian designer massimo vignelli allows us a glimpse of his understanding of good design in this book, its rules and criteria. See more ideas about massimo vignelli, graphic design and typography. Dec 10, 20 aint that just the prettiest little thing you ever did see. Transit maps rit press, 2012 and the rest in the forthcoming self. Mar 06, 2018 vignellis nyc subway map as a childrens book tue 6 mar 2018 03. The free flowing lines also add messiness to the overall feeling of the map. Downloadable maps for new york transit, including subways, buses, and the staten island railway, plus the long island rail road, metronorth railroad and mta bridges and tunnels. Browse massimo vignelli s nyc subway manual on twitter by john brownlee 1 minute read created in 1972, massimo vignelli s revamp of the new york city subway map was as heralded by design nerds. Mar 03, 20 massimo vignelli s schematic map of 1972 raised questions about design methodology. Caterina pdf free streetwise transitwise new york city. Jan 10, 2017 vignelli would later use that typeface in a 1972 map of the new york city subway, itself celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.
The map design was inspired by massimo vignelli s 1972 new york city subway map. Massimo vignelli, visionary designer who untangled the. Urban enthusiasts mourned the death of massimo vignelli, the graphic designer who created the iconic 1972 nyc subway map. Apr 01, 2010 the famous italian designer massimo vignelli allows us a glimpse of his understanding of good design in this book, its rules and criteria. Most planned service interruptions happen on the weekends, but subway riders need information presented. Contrary to news reports, vignelli did not design the washington metro map. Vignelli with the intention that, collectively, they would give passengers all the information they needed to navigate the subway. The controversy is back with the mtas use of the reworked diagrammatic map. His ethos was, if you can design one thing, you can. Vintage massimo vignelli subway map new york, new york.
It was a marvelous conceptual map, and it was easy to read. Massimo vignelli s 1972 new york city subway map is well remembered both as a beautiful example of modernist design and as a notorious victim of public shortsightedness. Vignelli forever, by anthony neil dart using helvetica, of course. In 1965, modernist graphic designer massimo vignelli and his business partner bob noorda landed. Keep track of how late the g train is running with this watch featuring pieces of authentic new york city subway map designed by legendary italian modernist massimo vignelli.
The manual describes the design and construction for the iconic nyc subway. The history of the nyc subway maps offers a specialized area for students of design, who must surely know the name massimo vignelli, the modernist designer who named the dc metro and created the notorious 1972 nyc transit map that, writes the mta metro transit authority, reimagined the mta new york city transit subway system as a neat grid. Massimo vignelli and his 1972 ny subway map video dailymotion. Childrens book based on vignellis original 1972 map. Anthony neil dart has designed one main poster summing up five wellknown phrases, and quotes, by massimo vignelli, then a further five posters each displaying one of the five phrases. When designer massimo vignelli s redesigned new york city subway map appeared in 1972, people were less than enthusiastic. The vignelli subway map goes digital the new yorker. Massimo vignelli s nyc subway manual is coming back in print by john brownlee 1 minute read when massimo vignelli redesigned the new york city subway map in 1970, he also put together a lengthy.
Unrealised dc metro subway map designs by massimo vignelli. We recently discovered a treasure in the segd archives. More than iconic, the new york city subway map is a coat of arms for a way of life. Peter lloyd uncovers the history of the vignelli map that includes the legacy of the people who created and promoted this new york iconas well as those who hastened its. Browse massimo vignellis nyc subway manual on twitter. I wish more than anything for the mta to scrap the current and revert back to vignelli s beautiful design, one that adds simplicity to a most complex system underground. Not only is hearing massimos voice a treat, but he shares the basic concept of his new york subway map design, its evolution and why he insisted on abstraction in spite of. The metropolitan transportation authority revised map of rapid transit facilities of new york city transit authority. Recollections of my nonexistence is the authors first book not to take. I find it very interesting to read about the actual use of mr. Why new yorkers insisted on a worse subway map cheddar. Mta new york city subway large print edition, with railroad connections jamaicasutphin blvd long island rail road subway airtrain jfk 34 streetherald sq subway city hall subway bklyn bridgecity hall subway 4,5,6 only court stborough hall subway jay stmetrotech subway 2,3 and northbound 4,5 atlantic avbarclays ctr long island rail.
Simplified metro system maps have been adopted by cities around the world, but when new york city tried to follow suit the public pushback forced a. Wed like you to come up with a new design for new yorks subway map. Here we get to see some of massimo vignellis metro subway map ideas, even though they werent actually used. Oct 12, 2017 a vintage 1970s massimo vignelli subway map, noted for its clean, abstract aesthetic, has been uncovered at the 57th street6th avenue f train subway station. A nightservice map, created by charles gordanier of the mta, was first released in january 2012. Vignelli participated in the stock exchange of visions project in 2007, as well as publishing the book, vignelli. Vignelli, designer of famous subway map, defends his. Massimo vignelli shows his subway signs proposed for the washington metropolitan area transit authority in. You can download a pdf, but for many, thats not good enough. In a post yesterday on curbed, i reworked several maps to incorporate planned but unbuilt subway routes. The design of the subway map by massimo vignelli, published by the mta between. Download pdf streetwise transitwise new york city subway map manhattan subway map with.
Where previous versions relied on a more recognizable approach to the. Massimo vignelli and his 1972 ny subway map youtube. Limited edition massimo vignelli 1972 new york subway map. Massimo vignellis nyc subway manual is coming back in print by john brownlee 1 minute read when massimo vignelli redesigned the new york city subway map in 1970, he also put together a lengthy.
Theres a pdf available too it took an event the size of the super bowl somewhere out in the swamps of jersey to bring all the various regional transit options together to produce a map, but here we are. Vignelli transit maps describes the history of the new york subway maps and follows this citys transportation growth from separate. In 1972, the renowned italian designer massimo vignelli redesigned george salomons new york subway map, which persisted until 1979. Theres a pdf available too it took an event the size of the super bowl somewhere out in the swamps of jersey to bring all the various regional transit options together to produce a map. Peter lloyd a subway map fan and most of the maps in the book are from his collection looks at one particular map. Even though massimo didnt get to design the maps, he did design the signage for the dc metro subway, so he absolutely managed to leave his mark. When you have eliminated the javascript, whatever remains must be an empty page. Mta maps subway, bus, long island rail road, metronorth. In 1972, the renowned italian designer massimo vignelli redesigned george salomons new york subway map, which persisted until 1979, when superseded by michael hertzs design. The 1972 map designed by massimo vignelli is considered a design classic and can be found in the collections of moma even though. This classic vintage style poster honors the beauty of this unique art form and evokes the vivid images of simpler times. The subway map that rattled new yorkers the new york times.
Massimo vignellis enduring nyc subway legacy curbed ny. Created by vignelli in 1972, it was criticised by some for its geographical inaccuracy. Vignelli subway map watch mta subway uncommongoods. The maps come in printed versions or as an online pdf file. I tend to think its a bit overpraised and the fact that it was largely deemed unusable by the. Massimo vignelli was an italian designer who worked in a number of areas ranging from. Vignelli transit maps describes the history of the new york subway maps and follows this citys transportation growth from separate, independent lines to one large system.
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