Massimo Vignelli

Graphic Designer / United States / Vignelli Associates

Massimo Vignelli’s Book List

Thousands of books have enriched my life and knowledge, and so it is almost impossible for me to single out a few without feeling that I am omitting so many others that have shaped my mind in the course of my life—including a large number of books on the work of architects and designers that have made a great contribution to molding my vision. However, here are some that have a particularly important place in my memory.

32 books
Willy Boesiger Editor

My first great Master.

Thomas Mann
Translated by John E. Woods

The pleasure of discovering depth in thinking. A timeless portrait of a world.

Massimo Mila

It opened my ears to the essence of music.

Vladimir Nabokov

Incredibly beautiful writing, accurately painful.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

One of my favorite books of all time.

Emily Anderson

The best book for understanding Mozart.

Bruno Zevi

A brilliant teacher of mine.

Ernesto Rogers

My early mentor.

Honoré de Balzac

A fundamental book—a milestone in the growth of any person.

Thomas Mann
Translated by Michael Henry Heim
Gyorgy Kepes

Kepes opened my eyes and made the world relevant.

Gustave Flaubert

The best book for understanding provincialism.

Sigfried Giedion

My introduction to modern times.

A landmark in the teaching of art history. Clear rather than facile.

Alberto Moravia
Translated by Angus Davidson
Lewis Mumford

To better understand the place in which we live.

György Lukács

A sharp mind; a great literary critic.

Alberto Moravia
Translated by Angus Davidson

Great for learning about boredom.

James George Frazer

 A masterpiece of anthropology and ethnology.

Josef Müller-Brockmann

Swiss typography at its best.

Carlo Giulio Argan

This book, by a terrific historian, is part of my foundation.

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