NYC Transit Authority Graphic Standards Manual by Massimo Vignelli

March 1st, 2013 / Comments (1)

Incredible page-by-page examination of an old standards manual created by the legend Massimo Vignelli in 1970. It's one of the most quietly fascinating pieces of graphic design that we can remember seeing in quite a long time.

Good design truly is timeless.

This site is dedicated to serve as an archival record of a first edition NYCTA Graphics Standards Manual designed by Massimo Vignelli of Unimark International. The manual was found in a locker beneath old gym clothes.

View the site






Here's the ADD-friendly, 18-second video version.

Thanks to Michael Bierman for the find.

Comments

Boy, I've been thinking about this piece a lot. I abhor their subway map but have always loved the signage. You say quietly fascinating and I agree. What a feat to create something so quietly beautiful--with bright orange, pink, yellow, and huge, black sans serif letters as big as the page. (I saw it first on notcot.org.)

Michael Bierman (not verified)
March 5th, 2013, 11:24am

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