The Italian-American designer Massimo Vignelli

Massimo Vignelli wants a letter from Phaidon readers

The influential graphic designer is gravely ill and would welcome a flurry of tweets and mail during his last days

The Italian designer Massimo Vignelli may have designed everything from airline tailfin insignia to sofas, yet he remains best known for this works on paper. Vignelli’s New York subway map, which guided travellers from 1972 until 1979, abandoned the geographical rendering of the train lines in favour of a simpler, diagrammatical outline. 

We include this map in our Archive of Graphic Design. As well as his for his bold, modernist Knoll logo, which Vignelli drew up in 1967 and still appears on the furniture firm’s catalogues.

 

Detail from Massimo Vignelli and Bob Noorda's 1972 New York Subway Map
Detail from Massimo Vignelli and Bob Noorda's 1972 New York Subway Map

Now, in the twilight of his career, Vignelli would like to get a little piece of paper from you. It's been reported that the 83-year-old designer is gravely ill, and has been discharged from hospital to spend his final days at home. During this period his son, Luca says that his father would like to receive letters from fellow designers or admirers who have been inspired by Vignelli or tweets using the #dearmassimo.

 

Vignelli's American Airlines work
Vignelli's American Airlines work

It might sound like a strange request, yet it's one that fellow designer, Pentagram partner Michael Beirut, endorses. He explains, “Luca said that Massimo would be thrilled to get notes of good wishes from people whom he's touched or influenced - whether personally or remotely - over the years. Luca has visions of huge mail bags full of letters. I know that one of Massimo's biggest fantasies has been to attend his own funeral. This will be the next best thing. Pass the word." If you feel suitably inspired, address your missive to:

Massimo Vignelli, 130 East 67 Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.

For greater insight into Vignelli’s work alongside hundreds of his forebears and contemporaries, buy a copy of our Archive of Graphic Design.

 

British designer Mark Ferguson's letter to Vignelli, courtesy of VeryOwnStudio's twitter feed
British designer Mark Ferguson's letter to Vignelli, courtesy of VeryOwnStudio's twitter feed