After watching the 2012 documentary Design is One which highlights the life and work of design team Massimo and Lella Vignelli, we’ll consider the impact of their graphic design philosophy by analyzing their influence on a public design project most New Yorkers use every day: the subway.
First, list out some of the qualities of graphic design mentioned in the documentary that the Vignelli’s design firm wanted to bring to the New York subway map. Consider the historical context that influenced this design philosophy. You can see the map design from the 1970s at the Museum of Modern Art and you can learn more about the development of the New York subway map from the New York Transit Museum or from this 2019 feature in the New York Times. In 2017, contemporary design firm Work & Co. developed a digital map that drew from the modernist design philosophy that the Vignellis aligned with, and the firm made a short film about their creative process.
After looking at these resources, think about the following questions:
- In what ways can graphic design on public transit impact the lived experience of the people who need to use this design?
- Are there any elements of the Vignelli-designed subway map that you think are effective? Do you agree with the critics of the design?
- What might you change about the subway map, if you were to be a part of a design firm like Work & Co. that is tasked with updating the map to incorporate technology?
