#nevermade

In 1971, Massimo and Lella Vignelli designed a modular foam seating system but it was never produced. The system consisted of circular shapes that nested together to form an infinite number of seating configurations. Each piece would be made of foam with fabric coverings with zippers to attach everything together so it would stay put. The fabric cover would be removeable for cleaning.

This was around the same time the Vignellis were designing showrooms and exhibitions for Knoll who had acquired the Gavina Collection which included a foam modular seating system by Sebastian Matta. Although his system was much more organic in shape, perhaps they were inspired to give it a try with more geometric shapes?

In the archive we have the painted wooden models of the seating, vintage images, drawings and some correspondence.

Scroll through to see more about this conceptual Vignelli-designed seating system and also the Matta foam seating system on display in the Vignelli designed Knoll Au Louvre exhibition (1972) and the Knoll Gavina Group showroom (1968). Unfortunately, it was never made but we would have love to give it a try!

Images: 1-2. Vintage 35mm slide of model 3. rough sketch of seating components 4. measured drawing of seating components 5.-6. Drawings of possible seating configurations 7. snapshot of model in archives 8. Knoll correspondence regarding making prototypes 9. clipping of Massimo and Lella Vignelli in Gavina showroom with Matta modular seating 10. vintage 35mm slide of Matta seating at Knoll Au Louvre exhibition

‘Spanto x Lives’

Concentric Glassware designed by Lella Vignelli in 1981. 

Sadly, this glassware, in highball and old fashioned sizes, was never produced, but we’re glad to have them well documented in the archives.  The concentric circles at the bottom of the glass mimic the waves made in water.

Stay tuned as we’ll be highlighting more of Lella Vignelli’s work from the archives on future #WomenCrushWednesday!

You can see more of Lella’s work in “Designed by: Lella Vignelli” a free PDF book available to read and download on our website: https://www.rit.edu/vignellicenter/

And also in our new digital archives: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/vignelli-center

In 1976, Massimo Vignelli tried his hand at some 7.7 cent bulk rate stamp designs for the United States Postal Service. Sadly, these designs were never chosen to be made into a stamp. We’re not sure if any of these designs were even submitted? Enjoy these stamps that could have been but never were. 

Included in this folder in the archives were some embossed envelop examples sent by designer Bradbury Thompson with explicit instructions to return them. Oops! 

Found in the archives! 

Unrealized DC Metro map designs. Although Massimo Vignelli, while at Unimark International, designed the signage for the Washington DC Metro subway in 1968, he didn't design the map (which was designed by Lance Wyman).