Vignelli studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and later at the Università di Architettura, Venice.[4]
From 1957 to 1960, he visited America on a fellowship, and returned to New York in 1966 to start the New York branch of a new company, Unimark International, which quickly became, in scope and personnel, one of the largest design firms in the world. The firm went on to design many of the world's most recognizable corporate identities, including that of American Airlines (which forced him to incorporate the eagle, Massimo was always quick to point out). Vignelli designed the iconic signage for the New York City Subway system during this period,[5] and the 1970s–80s map of the system.[6] Contrary to news reports, Vignelli did not design the Washington Metro Map, which was designed by Lance Wyman and Bill Cannan.[7] Vignelli created the signage and wayfinding system for the DC Metro and suggested it be named "Metro" like many other capital city subways. Its original name was a mishmash of various states and transportation groups.[8]
In 1971, Vignelli resigned from Unimark, in part because the design vision which he supported became diluted as the company diversified and increasingly stressed marketing, rather than design.[9] Soon after, Massimo and Lella Vignelli founded Vignelli Associates.[10][11]
Vignelli worked with filmmaker Gary Hustwit on the documentary Helvetica, about the typeface of the same name.[12] Vignelli also updated his 1972 New York City Subway map for an online-only version implemented in 2011 and described as a "diagram", not a map, to reflect its abstract design without surface-level features such as streets and parks.[6][13]
Vignelli equipped his own home with tables, chairs, lamps and other items that he designed himself.[14]
Vignelli died on May 27, 2014 in New York City.[15][16][17]