Oasis for Designers
Oasis for Designers
Rochester Institute of Technology’s Vignelli Center for Design Studies is an international hub for education, research, collaboration, and advocacy, expanding the scope of the programs in the College of Art and Design’s School of Design. The world-class facility houses the archive of renowned designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli, whose graphic and product work are icons of international design, in addition to other design exemplars.
As a global design museum and premier educational resource, the Vignelli Center adds significant depth to RIT’s community of creators and innovators. Its distinctive and accessible archival resources work in tandem with inventive programming to deliver a supportive learning environment for design students.
Beyond the Vignelli collection, RIT holds dozens of archives of other modernist design pioneers. With these unparalleled assets, the university is a destination for professional designers and scholars from around the globe. The prominence and history of the original source materials supply an enriching experience for students, faculty, and researchers alike. Such didactic research and educational tools help make RIT a truly unique university.
Additionally, the Vignelli Center fosters important discussions about design in society and commerce with its Design Conversations speaker series. Each year, it brings well-known designers to campus for insightful monthly lectures open to all.
The Vignelli Center is also committed to collaboration and designing for public good. Through working with students and partnering organizations, it has executed various socially-conscious initiatives — notably a recent one with the Rochester Regional Coalition Against Human Trafficking to raise awareness about human trafficking in the Rochester region.