The Artist Toolbox: Massimo & Lella Vignelli

MASSIMO & LELLA VIGNELLI 　　“Design must be intellectually elegant,” poses Massimo Vignelli. “What is intellectually elegant? Well, it’s the opposite of vulgar.” As the man behind such simple and beautiful design from the Helvetica font to the New York Subway map, the design world is indebted to this pragmatic yet lyrical designer. In this episode, Italian-born designers Massimo and Leila Vignelli speak with classic Italian flair and wit about the essential principles of all art with The Artist Toolbox. Join host John Jacobsen at the design table in the Vignellis’ Upper East Side minimalist home to discuss the art of balance and problem-solving in their award-winning work in industrial and product design, graphic design, book, magazine and packaging design, furniture design and more, including the jewelry that Leila designs for herself. Their work is so influential that it is truly all around us. Leila has said, “If you do it right, it will last forever,” simple logic that can be applied not only to the Vignellis’ timeless and influential design but to their longtime marriage and professional partnership. 　　ABOUT THIS SHOW 　　Director and writer John Jacobsen engages America's best artists in one-on-one interviews about their personal process in making great art and a great life. 　　ABOUT THE HOST - JOHN JACOBSEN 　　Director and host of The Artist Toolbox, Jacobsen is the director of the recent short films Arthur, winner of the Best of Fest Award, and Spinning, and he directed the feature film Around the Fire which premiered at The Seattle International Film Festival where it was nominated for The Best Independent Filmmaker's Award, moving on to take top prize at the Giffoni Film Festival in Italy. 　　John has also produced feature films and numerous award winning shorts. He has directed over thirty plays, assisted legendary Broadway director, Hal Prince, produced the Tribute to Katherine Dunham on CBS's Emmy Award winning Kennedy Center Honors, and worked under the Academy Award-winning documentary maker, Charles Guggenheim. He has served as the Vice President of Seattle's ACT Theatre, one of this country's leading regional theatres and is President of TheFilmSchool which he co-founded with actor Tom Skerritt, Stewart Stern and other leading filmmakers. He managed the Motion Picture and Television Department at UCLA Extension, and was a Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute (AFI). He is a partner in the production company Moga Jacobsen, is a screenwriter, and teaches writing and directing around the country.