#design archives

[vignellicenter]

Please join us for our next Open Houses! March 20-21, 2024 10am-4pm.

The NYC subway map that never was. Or at least it was never implemented.

The NYC Subway graphics are some of the most requested artifacts from the Vignelli archives. We acquired this unique “verbal map” aka “The Directory” aka the “How to get there” map in 2022. Our archivist put it on display for the first time in 50 years at our Open Houses in September 2022!

 “The Verbal Map described how to reach a destination, which train to get, where to change, and when to get out.” – Massimo Vignelli [comment on Michael Bierut’s essay “Mr. Vignelli Map” for Design Observer]

Printed on very glossy paper in full color, this map is large like the station size maps. Printed in two parts [top and bottom] each half measuring 29.5” x 47.5”.

In the Graphic Standards Manual on Page 3 “Diagram of Basic Sign Distribution” it describes the various maps to be installed:

Maps: System maps (implemented, the famous one),

neighborhood map (not implemented),

‘How to get there’ map (not implemented but we have the prototype!)

From the Graphics Standards Manual on page 75, “The Directory”:

“The directory is designed to help a passenger find his “Destination” and “How to get there” quickly and easily. Each station will have its own directory listing all other station alphabetically and numerically. Each station will be followed by the color disc designating he trains that stop there. If there is no direct train, transfer information will follow the station name. This directory will be placed at all important points in the subways station both inside and outside the turnstiles.”

We also have the Dekalb Av Signage Study “analyzed and completed by Joan Charysyn and Virginia Macintosh” for Unimark International in 1971 which shows a mockup of the various maps and states “A directory and three maps will eventually be in use in all subway stations.”

Be sure to join us for our next Open Houses and see what other surprises you can discover! Learn more opn our events page: https://www.rit.edu/events/vignelli-center-spring-open-house

Image descriptions:

Detail of “verbal map” aka “The Directory” aka the “How to get there” map

image of entire map

Video clip of map

Photo of Open Houses with logo

vintage 35mm slide of detail of “verbal map”

NYCTA Graphics Standards Manual pg. 75 “The Directory”

NYCTA Graphics Standards Manual pg. 75 “The Directory”

Slideshow of Dekalb St study: coversheet, Directory from Grand Central, System Map, Neighborhood map, and 5 Boroughs map

Vintage 35mm slide of 57th Street station signage

Vintage 35mm slides of 57th Street station signage

#vignelli #design #design archives #archives #graphic design #1970s #subway map #nyc subway

[mangozic]

my dead goth son and his friendly neighborhood personified concept of insanity

#really happy with how michael turned out :] i might stick to this design #rapunzel ah glowy hair <3 #i do need to workshop gerry though orz #have been working on this during breaks from my other projects and god it took way too long to finish #fun fact the final file for this is over 2gb 👍 forgot i was recording the timelapse #i could post it if anyone would be interested #the magnus archives #tma #michael distortion #michael shelley #tma michael #tma distortion #gerard keay #gerry keay #tma gerry #gerrymichael #doorkeay #technically? i’m not one to draw ship art usually but this one’s close enough i think #tma fanart #fanart #my art #digital art #illustration #magpod

[sistersaule]

#architecture #lifestyle #design archives #bali #island time #island life #tropical design

[walmartnoodle]

Hunted, Haunted

#the magnus archives #tma art #jon sims #jonathan sims #daisy tonner #alice daisy tonner #character design #the hunt #i actually love their friendship

[thingsorganizedneatly]

Did you know that there is a Toaster Museum????

#things organized neatly #present and correct #design #museum #toast #toaster #industrial design #chrome #wow #neat #love #food #Germany #archives #bread #history

[wolfythewitch]

A handful of avatars

#art #sketch #character design #tma #the magnus archives #peter lukas #elias bouchard #mike crew #michael crew #simon fairchild #nikola orsinov

[polarisbear]

you got mail!

#hermitcraft #hermitblr #pearlescentmoon #ethoslab #tangotek #art archive #id in alt text #anyways. i like the funny minecraft guys #their designs are also sooooo much more simple lord it’s so nice to be out of gacha hell yknow

[novahedron]

Me circa 2018: what the fuck is a mangos archives

Me, 2023, covered in blood: I get it now.

#the magnus archives #tma #jonathan sims #jarchivist #Doodle #After years of hearing about this podcast I admit that the tumblr girlies were right #Not completely sold on this jon design but I had to get the wet tape man out of my system

[mishzar]

and when the web is spun, will you find yourself the spider or the fly?

#the magnus archives #tma #jonathan sims #tma jon #tma fanart #the magnus archives fanart #jon sims #hadn’t done a proper drawing of my s4 jon design so here he is :)

[keepthebeanscool]

late night in the archives

#in my missing s1 jmart era #(the era that has lasted ever since i finished s1) #s1 martin you deserved better…. jon would’ve snarled at u like an angry cat if he woke up #also shoutout to bagel arcadecarpetgay for the mug design idea it is wonderful #jmart #jonmartin #jonathan sims #martin blackwood #tma #tma fanart #the magnus archives #tma s1 #jaspers art

[morphomolva]

Had to make a gif for uni, of course I take this opportunity to draw the beloved.

#the magnus archive spoilers #I love you helen I love you helen I love you helen #I'd fall for her deception any day <3 #had to rush the design a tad #the magnus archives #tma spoilers #tma #the magnus archive fanart #helen distortion #tma helen #my art #art #animation #my animation

[vignellicenter]

Happy 2024!

We're celebrating the new year with some deep cuts from the Vignelli archives: 1970s calendars

1977 Ciba Geigy

This is a rare one! A calendar for Swiss pharmaceutical company Ciba-Geigy.

The cover reads [in six languages]:

With our best wishes for the New Year

Avec nos meilleurs voeux pour l’An nouveau

Herzlichen Glückwusch zum neuen Jahr

Con nuestros mejores votos para el Año Nuevo

Con I migliori auguri per un felice Anno Nuovo

Com os nossos melhores votos para o Ano novo

Features beautiful scenic photos of Switzerland which are accompanied by an essay about environmental conservation by Dr. Bruno Moeckli, also in six languages.  

Excerpt from “Swiss Landscapes” essay in calendar [sorry, only posting in English due to space]:

“Wild scenery in Switzerland is now confined to nature conservation areas and some alpine peaks, In the process, too little thought was given to the preservation of the physical essentials of life, namely water, air and soil. Now, what formerly gave concern only to artists and idealists becomes of vital importance to us all.

With the growing realization of the extent to which the despoilation of air, water, and other natural resources has progressed, it has also been realized that the various aspects of nature conservation and environmental protection share the same ultimate objective: to permit the harmonious co-existence of all forms of life, whether human, animal or plant, all of which require an environment in which they can continue to flourish in the future. Despite his mastery of science and technology, man is no exception to this rule. Furthermore, man as a creature of aesthetic sensibilities is capable of appreciating and benefiting from natural beauty, both physically and spiritually.”

Click through all the images to also see Vignelli-designed pharmaceutical packaging for Ciba-Geigy from 1976.

#vignelli #design #design archives #graphic design #1970s #calendars

[mangozic]

michael distortion what a goofy guy

#still experimenting with his design but i think i might be onto something #he’ll probably change in the future but for now there’s the boy #rattles him around in a jar #i have nothing more to offer but sketches #this week has really been kicking my ass #doodling tma to keep myself sane at this point #the magnus archives #tma #michael distortion #fanart #tma fanart #my art #digital art #doodle #sketch

[sepezzz]

the main guy! Magnus Characters pt.3

#I saw a bunch of fanart of him before I listened to the show #so this design will probably be the closest to fanon out of all of em #jonathan sims #jon sims #tma #the magnus archive fanart #the magnus archives #tma art #tma fanart #tma spoilers #tma podcast

[probablymoons]

"If It's Sex You're Looking For..." Designed by Judith Johnson for Hallmark, 1971. Archived from The Peculiar Manicule.

#If It's Sex You're Looking For... #ask to tag #probablyrambles #id in alt text #hallmark thoughfulness library #70s design #Day Glo #newspaper clippings #judith johnson #the peculiar manicule #archive #1971 #love #valentines

[smokeymargiela]

Versace FW93

#archive fashion #high fashion #maison margiela #issey miyake #versace #vintage margiela #rick owens #fashion week #margiela archive #chrome hearts #fashion #designer #vivienne westwood #jean paul gaultier