About
About
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies is a hub of research, education, and creative inspiration that houses over 750,000 artifacts across all fields of design. Iconic works by Lella and Massimo Vignelli are featured at the heart of our collection and their legacy forms the foundation of design excellence and innovation that the Vignelli Center celebrates today.
Mission
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies fosters education and preservation, and advocates for design to improve the world.
Vision
The archive collections housed in the Vignelli Center for Design Studies demonstrate and inspire solutions to key and ubiquitous societal needs. By providing opportunities for varied programming for diverse audiences, the Center extends the value of design for positive impact on the future.
Goals
Josh Owen
Director, The Vignelli Center
Jennifer Whitlock
Archivist, The Vignelli Center
Activating The Archives
Staff, students, and faculty linked to the Vignelli Center are committed to the collection, preservation, and accessibility of the artifacts and inspirational opportunities that the Vignelli Center fosters.
For information or questions about the Vignelli Center for Design Studies, please contact Josh Owen, Director of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies, at josh.owen@rit.edu or Jennifer Whitlock, Archivist, at jennifer.whitlock@rit.edu.
Vignelli Planning Group
The Vignelli Planning Group comprises faculty, staff, and students. The Group meets weekly throughout the academic year around the Hamlyn Trust Study Room Table. The Vignelli Planning Group discusses and plans short-term projects, ideates and enacts the activities of the Vignelli Center. The meetings cover many topics such as upcoming events and lectures, open houses, Metaproject, and student involvement.
Shani Avni
Ismar David Visiting Assistant Curator
John Bechtold
Graduate Student, Visual Communication Design
Annie Browar
University Multimedia Designer
Enid Cardinal
Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Planning and Sustainability
Julius Chiavaroli
Professor, Architecture
Melissa Dawson
Assistant Professor, Industrial Design
Juliee Decker
Director, Museum Studies
Keli DiRisio
Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
Mary Golden
Director, Interior Design
Laura Woodrow
Graduate Student, Visual Communication Design
James Hall
Dean of University Studies and Executive Director SOIS
Joyce Hertzson
Professor, School of Design
Anne Jordan
Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
Mark Kingsley
Melbert B Cary Professor
Ipek Koprululu
Graduate Student, Visual Communication Design
Elizabeth Lamark
University Photographer
Terri Lee
Adjunct Faculty, Interior Design
Wendy Marks
Director, Finance & Administration Galleries
James Marotto
Senior Director of Advancement, College of Art and Design
Zoë Murray
Undergraduate Student, Graphic Design
Tayo Oke
Graduate Student, Industrial Design
Isabelle Qiu
Graduate Student, Visual Communication Design
R Roger Remmington
Vignelli Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Design
Stan Rickel
Director, Integrative Design, Industrial Design
Maddy Schoenfeld
Shop One Manager
Annelise Wall
Undergraduate Student, New Media Design
Shreya Talegaonkar
Graduate Student, Visual Communication Design
Marissa Tirone
Senior Lecturer, Industrial Design
Ana Videto
Undergraduate Student, Graphic Design
Vignelli Vision Group
Role of the Vision Group: Seasoned designers, possessing both commercial and academic expertise, come together as visionary leaders shaping the future of the Vignelli Center. Their primary focus lies in steering significant, long-term projects and addressing overarching goals and critical matters.
Anne Ghory-Goodman
Adjunct Faculty
Gene DePrez
Managing Partner, Global Innovation Partners
James Marotto
Senior Director of Advancement, College of Art and Design
R. Roger Remington
Vignelli Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Design
Su Mathews Hale
Founder, Hale Design
Want to Get Involved?
The Vignelli Center Planning Group is open to RIT staff, students, and faculty who wish to help design, critique, and connect new and existing initiatives at the Vignelli Center.
Open Houses
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies Open Houses series will welcome RIT
and the community to the Center and Archives in six dedicated multi-day events over the course of the year.
Open Houses will be scheduled three times each academic semester, lasting for two
to three days each time. Classes, individuals, and groups will have the opportunity to experience and study the galleries and special artifact displays with guidance from the Director, Archivist and associates of the Center.
Fall 2023
10:00am – 4:00pm
September 20–21
"If you can design one thing, you can design everything."
Spring 2024
10:00am – 4:00pm
March 20–21
"If you can design one thing, you can design everything."
Benetton Galleries
Highlights from the design archives of Massimo and Lella Vignelli are on view at the Vignelli Center in the two-story Benetton Galleries. The galleries are free and open to the public. Access is through RIT’s University Gallery.
Please visit their website or contact by phone (585) 475-2866 or email universitygallery@rit.edu for gallery hours.
Location
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies is located on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus, adjacent to the University Gallery in Booth Hall (building 7A).
Visitors should enter the RIT campus via the main entrance on Jefferson Road and proceed to the Welcome Center to request a visitor’s parking pass, directions to the Vignelli Center, and the location of visitor parking.
Hours of Operation
The galleries are free and open to the public. Access is through RIT’s University Gallery.
Please visit their website or contact by phone (585) 475-2866 or email universitygallery@rit.edu for gallery hours.
Is there a Gift Shop?
Yes! ShopOne sells Vignelli products. ShopOne is located in the Global Village next to the Post Office.
When are Events Announced?
Events are announced at the start of the Fall and Spring Semesters.
How do I join an online event?
Click on the Event listed on the Vignelli Center Events Page. Next, click the button that says "Register Now."
Please note that online events are open to current RIT students, faculty, staff, and Friends of the Vignelli Center.
Online events are archived on the Vignelli Center YouTube Page for public consumption a week or so after they occur.
How do I join the Metaproject?
The Metaproject is a course available to current RIT students.
Students can register for the course through SIS.
The Vignelli Legacy
The Vignellis' story of tenacity, precision, and brilliance spans many decades, nations, and media.