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
Emily Anderson

The best book for understanding Mozart.

Alberto Moravia
Translated by Angus Davidson
James George Frazer

 A masterpiece of anthropology and ethnology.

Thomas Mann
Translated by John E. Woods

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

Bruno Zevi

A brilliant teacher of mine.

Lewis Mumford

To better understand the place in which we live.

Willy Boesiger Editor

My first great Master.

Josef Müller-Brockmann

Swiss typography at its best.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

One of my favorite books of all time.

Gustave Flaubert

The best book for understanding provincialism.

György Lukács

A sharp mind; a great literary critic.

Sigfried Giedion

My introduction to modern times.

Alberto Moravia
Translated by Angus Davidson

Great for learning about boredom.

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

Gyorgy Kepes

Kepes opened my eyes and made the world relevant.

Massimo Mila

It opened my ears to the essence of music.

Carlo Giulio Argan

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

Vladimir Nabokov

Incredibly beautiful writing, accurately painful.

Thomas Mann
Translated by Michael Henry Heim
Ernesto Rogers

My early mentor.

Honoré de Balzac

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

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