assimo Vignelli DISCIPLINES OF DESIGN
Massimo Vignelli 1931-2014
“ I like design to be semantically correct, syntactically consistent, & pragmatically understandable �
02
03
“It’s substantially important to spend quality time searching for the accurate and essential meanings” For Massimo Vignelli semantics
diagnostic ability to funnel the
was the exploration for meaning
research and present a conscious
within whatever he designed. In
solution to the problem.
order to find the most appropriate
The semantics provide a platform
direction for the development
for correct inception of projects,
of the design, Massimo believed
regardless of their context.
in researching the history of the
Becoming a crucial component of
subject. As subjects vary, the
the natural process of designing,
search has potential to stem in
semantics indicate the most
many different directions. This
appropriate form for the subject
initial research can develop
we can transform. An important
into further research entailing
aspect in the semantic search is
information about the company,
effortlessly infusing the design
product, marketing position,
with the required cognitive
competition, destination, or the
inputs in the most natural way
actual meaning of the subject and
possible. Without semantics, the
its semantic roots.
design becomes meaningless.
In order to achieve satisfactory
Semantics, in design, means to
design, the designer must
understand all aspects of the
understand the parameters in
subject in order to relate the
which they must operate. It’s
subject to the sender, and receiver
substantially important to spend
in such a way that it makes sense
quality time searching for the
to both. Most simply it means
accurate and essential meanings,
to design something that has
investigate their complexities,
meaning, that’s not arbitrary, and
learn their ambiguities, and
carries meaning or has a precise
understand the context of use.
purpose infused into every detail.
Knoll design thumbnails, Massimo Vignelli
Massimo believed understanding semantics is essential especially when following your intuition and
04
05
“In graphic design, the components consist of structure, the grid,
06
Design is one, Massimo Vignelli
Vignelli from A-Z, Massimo Vignelli
typefaces, text, and headlines�
The essence of syntax is described by Vignelli as the discipline that controls the proper use of grammar in the construction of phrases and the articulation of language. The syntax of design
type size relationships, and the relationships between pictures on various pages throughout the project.
is conveyed through many components in the nature of the project. In graphic design, the components consist of structure, the grid, typefaces, text, and headlines. Massimo explains consistency in design is supplied by the appropriated relationship between the different syntactical elements of the project. These elements consist of how type relates to grids and images,
correct syntactic elements in design, as there are incorrect ones that should be avoided. In graphic design consistent syntactical elements in design are of paramount importance. Grids are one of the several tools helping designers to achieve syntactical consistency.
Vignelli from A-Z, Massimo Vignelli
There are various ways to achieve
07
“If whatever we did wasn’t understood, it failed to communicate and therefore became
NYC Subway Signage, Massimo Vignelli
a wasted effort”
Massimo believed, if whatever
understand the starting point and
we created wasn’t understood,
all assumptions of any project to
it failed to communicate and
comprehend the final result and
therefore became a wasted
measure it’s effiency.
think are semantically correct
The result of confusing,
and syntactically consistant, the
complicated designs reveal the
pragmatics are equally important
equally confused and complicated
because if no one understands
minds of the audience.
the result or the meaning of
As designers we prefer designs to
all the effort, the entire work
contain elements of intellectual
becomes useless. Ocassionally
elegance and a sense of
designs require explination,
forcefullness. Straying away from
but become stronger when
temporary fads in design prooves
explinations aren’t necessary.
for a timeless design. Most
Designs should be capable of
critical for designers is creating
standing by themselves and
things that have the capability of
provide a sense of clarity.
lasting for a long time.
Otherwise something important has been missed. It’s important to
08
NYC Subway Map, Massimo Vignelli
effort. As we design things we
09
Bibliography Larrabee, Eric, and Massimo Vignelli. Knoll design. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1990. Vignelli Associates. Accessed April 20, 2017. http://vignelli.com/home.html. Vignelli, Massimo, and Lella Vignelli. Design: Vignelli. New York: Rizzoli, 1981. Vignelli, Massimo. The Vignelli canon. Zürich: Lars Müller Publishers, 2015.
Designed & written by Jamie Lawrence Composed in Helvetica and ITC Century Std Printed from Toshiba 3055c onto #80 Hammermill Copyright © 2017 Jamie Lawrence Portland, Maine, Maine College of Art