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

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

Gustave Flaubert

The best book for understanding provincialism.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

One of my favorite books of all time.

Sigfried Giedion

My introduction to modern times.

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.

Alberto Moravia
Translated by Angus Davidson

Great for learning about boredom.

Massimo Mila

It opened my ears to the essence of music.

Honoré de Balzac

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

Gyorgy Kepes

Kepes opened my eyes and made the world relevant.

Alberto Moravia
Translated by Angus Davidson
James George Frazer

 A masterpiece of anthropology and ethnology.

Thomas Mann
Translated by Michael Henry Heim
Willy Boesiger Editor

My first great Master.

György Lukács

A sharp mind; a great literary critic.

Emily Anderson

The best book for understanding Mozart.

Josef Müller-Brockmann

Swiss typography at its best.

Carlo Giulio Argan

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

Vladimir Nabokov

Incredibly beautiful writing, accurately painful.

Lewis Mumford

To better understand the place in which we live.

Ernesto Rogers

My early mentor.

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