The Vignelli Canon

Having read through the canon I was intrigued by the strict, preachy manner of the text. Of course Vigenelli is conveying a set of personal laws that he had developed over an impressive career in design. Ranging from identities of large corporations such as American airways and IBM to the New York subway map. However I was still taken aback by the definite conveyance of key areas, to the point where he appears to be disregarding the creative output of anyone who doesn't conform.


From brief discussions with peers this was a commonplace opinion on the text. I like to think that in fact Vignelli was attempting to lay out a set of guidelines from which people could read in between. I think the point he's making is that too many designers produce overcomplicated work that that displays little regard for the fundamentals of design. If designers start with a limited set of typefaces and layout methods they will not rely so heavily on over engineered type. He makes a relevant point when he talks about modern design being oversaturated with vulgarity. The lack of appropriate design is something I feel everyone can be guilty of, if due contextual research does not take place.

He talks about making typography harmonious with the media in general and about not making typography to obvious or brash. An example is when he says the work bark should not bark. He's telling designers to look into how they can illustrate and portray meaning via subtle changes in type.

"I see typography as a discipline to organize information in the most objective way possible. I do not like typography intended as an expression of the self, as a pretext for pictorial exercises."

"The basic rules of typography have been set long ago but as beautiful scores they have been played in different ways by many talented artists, all making a mark and opening a new way with their interpretations."

"White, in typography, is what space is in Architecture. In a world where everybody screams, silence is noticeable. White space provides the silence. That is the essence of our typography."

I found this passage about negative space very inspiring. The way any type interacts with its background and the feeling this gives is an area I must explore more. 

The book also has made me think more about layout and suitability in design. Its about finding the balance between aesthetic qualities and ergonomic values. 

"For literary books the margins follow a different set of considerations, ranging from the position of the thumbs - when holding the book - to an overall shape of the text column, or to the need of providing space for side notations"