If you follow me on Instagram (@megancharland) you’ll already know that I visited The Vignelli Center for Design Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology a couple of weeks ago. I had a great time – truly inspiring!

The Vignelli Center didn’t exist yet when I was a student at RIT (I graduated with a BFA in 2008) and I am so happy (and a little jealous) that students now have access to such a fantastic resource. The center is open to the public and I highly recommend making a trip to check it out if you’re local, or want to visit Rochester, NY. I fully intend on heading back sometime this fall to research in the Vignelli Archive.

I loved wandering around the first floor where all the cases were. Being able to see the process behind the design of the NYC Subway Map was really exciting for me – it’s one of the first iconic designs I remember learning about when I was in high school. I used the map daily when I lived in NYC. A couple of weeks ago I watched a video of Massimo Vignelli using the map on an iPad. Is it weird I can be emotionally attached to a design?

The first floor also consisted of lighting fixtures, glassware, silverware, dinnerware, corporate identities, packaging, magazines, book design, clothing, jewelry, watches, posters, calendars, and so much more!

The second floor was full of furniture. AMAZING furniture. Desks, tables, chairs – all beautifully designed. There were certainly several pieces I would have loved to bring home with me.

Have you been to visit the Vignelli Center? What do you think? Have you been in the Vignelli Archives yet? I can’t wait to check it out next month!