SHED Maker Showcase

Vignelli-Inspired Exhibition Component Set

The Vignelli-Inspired Exhibition Component Set is a modular display system designed to bring the principles of Massimo and Lella Vignelli into contemporary exhibition design. Created by John Monaco, this system features a flexible arrangement of platforms, pedestals, display cases, and information stands—offering a beautiful, functional, and adaptable solution for showcasing work across RIT’s campus and beyond.

Constructed primarily from Baltic birch plywood, the system draws from a longstanding tradition in modernist design, known for its durability, clean aesthetic, and precision-engineered layers. The material choice reinforces the Vignellis' commitment to timeless, functional design, ensuring that the display system is both visually striking and structurally robust. Inspired by the Vignellis' use of the grid as a foundation for design, the system enables a wide range of configurations while maintaining a cohesive and elegant aesthetic.

The first application of this system is an exhibition launching in Spring 2025 at the SHED Maker Showcase. This exhibition presents a curated selection of objects, sketches, and photography from the Summer Design Workshop, an annual collaboration between the Vignelli Center for Design Studies and the Corning Museum of Glass. Going forward, this adaptable display system will serve as a template for future exhibitions, expanding the reach of the Vignelli design philosophy while supporting projects from the School of Design and related creative disciplines.

This installation—and those to come—offers students a unique hands-on learning opportunity. By participating in the curation, design, and installation process, students gain valuable experience in exhibition production, industry best practices, and the intersection of industrial and graphic design in museum-quality spaces.

About the Designer
John Monaco is an exhibition designer, educator, and industry leader with an extensive career in museum and gallery design. He served as Head of Exhibition Design at the Rubin Museum of Art for 15 years, where he developed and implemented immersive exhibition experiences. His design expertise extends to institutions such as the Princeton University Art Museum and the Museum of Sex NYC, with his display case designs used in museums worldwide. Additionally, he was a member of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation exhibition advisory committee, contributing to the advancement of exhibition practices on a global scale. 

John is a Visiting Lecturer in the College of Art and Design. John also teaches in Museum Studies working in tandem with the University Archives and the Vignelli Center for Design Studies.

Project Partners

• Alex Lobos – School Director, School of Design
• Josh Owen – Vignelli Center Director, School of Design
• John Monaco – Exhibition Designer, Project Coordinator, Visiting Lecturer/CAD
• Mike Buffalin IV – Director, SHED Maker Space