Women Designers You Should Know

Lella Vignelli’s impactful contributions to product and interior design take center stage in this episode, with guest Giorgia Lupi, data visualization pioneer and Pentagram partner, and returning guest Rachel Gogel.

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Sources:

• Designed by: Lella Vignelli by Massimo Vignelli (Rochester Institute of Technology)

About Lella

You’ve likely heard of Massimo Vignelli, the renowned designer behind iconic works like the New York City Subway map, but did you know that behind many of those projects was an equally brilliant mind? Lella Vignelli—Massimo’s wife and design partner—was a powerhouse in her own right. With a background in architecture, she seamlessly blended elegance and functionality in everything from interior spaces to product design. Her meticulous attention to detail was the driving force behind many of their best-known works, including the timeless Handkerchief Chair and the stunning interiors of Saint Peter’s Church in New York.

Lella was more than just Massimo’s collaborator—she was a visionary who believed in creating design that was truly timeless, free of trends and fads. Yet, despite her immense contributions, Lella’s name often remained in the background. So, why is her story so often overshadowed? And how did she quietly reshape modern design?

Tune in to this episode to hear the incredible legacy of Lella Vignelli—a designer whose work deserves to be front and center.

About Giorgia

Giorgia's Books:
This is Me and Only Me
Observe Collect Draw!: A Visual Journal
Dear Data: A Friendship in 52 Weeks of Postcards

Giorgia Lupi is an Italian information designer, a partner at design firm Pentagram, and co-founder of research and design firm Accurat. She is a co-author of Dear Data, a collection of hand drawn data visualizations, along with information designer Stefanie Posavec. Her work is also part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art.

In 2011, Lupi co-founded research and design firm Accurat, that combines design and data to create data visualizations, interfaces, and tools. Among their clients are Google, IBM, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Starbucks, United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the Museum of Modern Art. Lupi's influences for her work come from fascinations by geometrical feel and balance of abstract art compositions.

Follow Giorgia Lupi on Instagram: @giorgialupi
Giorgia Lupi's Website: giorgialupi.com

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Discover how self-taught designer Elaine Lustig Cohen became a defining force in modernist graphic design and fine art, with insights from design author and historian, Steven Heller, on her legacy and the importance of re-writing design history to include more women.

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Sources:

• elainelustigcohen.com
• The Daily Heller: Elaine Lustig Cohen’s New Website by Steven Heller
• The New York Times Article by Anita Gates

About Elaine

Elaine Lustig Cohen (1927–2016) was a pioneering modernist designer and artist, known for her bold, abstract book covers and museum catalogs that helped shape mid-century American graphic design.

After the sudden passing of her husband, renowned designer Alvin Lustig, Elaine—without any formal training—took over his studio in the 1950s, working with high-profile clients like Philip Johnson, Richard Meier, General Motors, and the Jewish Museum.

What set her design style apart was her ability to merge avant-garde European influences, like Constructivism and Bauhaus principles, with the clean, functionalist aesthetics of American modernism. She brought typography to the forefront, often treating it as a visual and emotional narrative element, while incorporating geometric abstraction to create a sense of movement and rhythm. Her work is now part of the permanent collections at MoMA, LACMA, and Cooper Hewitt.

About Steven

Steven Heller is one of the most prolific design historians and writers in the field, having authored, co-authored, or edited over 200 books on design, illustration, and popular culture. He is best known for his long-running column, The Daily Heller, published by Print magazine, which offers daily insights on visual culture, design history, and current events. In addition to his writing, Heller is the co-chair of the School of Visual Arts MFA Design/Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, where he continues to shape future generations of designers.

Throughout his career, Heller has been a steadfast advocate for women in design. His work has consistently featured and celebrated the contributions of women who have been overlooked in design history. He has worked to bring attention to underrepresented figures in the industry, often calling for a rewriting of design history to include more women. As early as the 1990s, Heller began amplifying the work of female designers, championing their influence on design movements across modernism, typography, and visual communication. He has been vocal about the importance of gender equality in the design industry and has pushed for more inclusive recognition of the women whose innovations have shaped the field.

In 2011, Heller was awarded the AIGA Medal for his outstanding contributions to design journalism, education, and history. His ongoing commitment to uncovering the stories of women in design has made him not only a key figure in documenting design history but also an advocate for equity in the industry. Through his work, he has inspired a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the design world, one that reflects the achievements of all its contributors.

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We dive into the history of Architect Norma Merrick Sklarek, who broke new ground as the first Black woman licensed in New York and California, with guest Tobi Ashiru reflecting on her own experiences as a Black architectural designer teaching at USC and how Norma's pioneering achievements have inspired her.

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About Norma Merrick Sklarek

Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) was a pioneering architect who shattered racial and gender barriers in the profession. As the first Black woman licensed as an architect in New York and California, Norma made significant contributions to iconic projects such as the Fox Plaza in San Francisco, the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, the US Embassy in Tokyo, and Terminal One at LAX. But as a black woman, she faced a lot of discrimination throughout her career. In fact, after graduation, she was rejected by 19 firms purely because of her race and gender. But she made an impact at 5 notable firms, including Victor Gruen Associates where she worked with Frank Gehry and Cesar Pelli. She also co-founding a firm with 2 other women, named Siegel-Sklarek-Diamond, which was the first architectural practice led by women in the US. She was also the first Black woman to be part of the AIA in 1959 AND became an AIA fellow later in 1980. Sklarek's legacy extends beyond her architectural achievements; she was a passionate advocate for diversity in the field, mentoring countless young architects and leaving an indelible mark on the architecture community.

About Tobi Ashiru

Tobi is a passionate designer and alumna of the USC School of Architecture. With a mission to change the world through design, she strives to push the boundaries of creativity. Born in Nigeria and raised in South Africa, Tobi seeks to create contextually relevant work that celebrates blackness. She's a interdisciplinary designer with diverse experiences as an architectural designer, installation artist, forever student, educator, and business owner.

She stays committed to the advancement of underrepresented voices in many ways and through Poché Design Studio, a black woman owned design agency she co-founded, where the mission is to occupy and amplify the black space in design. Tobi is currently an adjunct professor at USC School of Architecture where she is the lead instructor for the A-Lab program.

Instagram: @bypoche
Website: tobiashiru.com, bypoche.com

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We delve into the impactful career of Venezuelan graphic designer Karmele Leizaola with guests, Oriana Nuzzi and Faride Mereb, Venezuelan designers now based in Brooklyn, share their research and insights into Karmele's legacy and discuss how her pioneering work continues to influence contemporary design. Join us for a captivating exploration of Karmele Leizaola's creative vision and enduring impact.

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About Karmele Leizaola:

First documented woman to work as a graphic designer in Venezuela. She is considered a pioneer of editorial design in Venezuela, working at several independent and her work has been influential for many generations of editorial designers.

Karmele was born in 1929 in Basque Country in Spain and starting at the age of 7, she was uprooted twice, first fleeing from the Spanish Civil War, and settling in France, and then fleeing France because of WWII, finally landing in Venezuela.

Her father was a printer and photojournalist which led to her connections and interest to becoming a publication graphic designer for various magazines and newspapers.

Her 55+ year career spanned from early layout design to hiring and consulting for countless publications.

Learn More at karmeleleizaola.com

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About Faride Mereb & Oriana Nuzzi

Faride and Oriana, both talented designers from Venezuela are now based in Brooklyn, where they co-direct Letra Muerta, a studio that specializes in art books.

Their dedication to preserving and celebrating Karmele's contributions to graphic design is nothing short of remarkable. In this interview they explain how they first came across her work, and how they’ve pushed through hours of research in Venezuela’s National Library. They took this research and created newspapers and zines of her work, and even Karmele’s wikipedia page is thanks to them.

Faride is an award-winning book designer, researcher, editor, and art director. Her love of books has deeply influenced her work. She’s worked for Penguin Random House, Kenning Editions, and is a member of the American Printing History Association.

Her friend and colleague Oriana, is an editorial designer and book designer. She has an artistic approach to her work, after first studying to be an artist. Along with Faride, she works on preserving and showcasing archival materials, while also exhibiting the work of Venezuelan artists and writers, and their cultural contributions.
Learn more about Faride and Oriana's studio Letra Muerta: https://letramuerta.nyc/
Follow their studio on IG: @letramuertainc
Follow Faride Mereb: @fmereb
Follow Oriana Nuzzi: @orianamrgarita

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Uncover the incredible journey of Iris Apfel, whose design career spans textiles and fashion, from transforming the White House interiors to becoming a global style icon, joined by special guest designer Adam Vicarel.

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Sources:

• The CEO Magazine “How Iris Apfel, 100, defies her age in the business world”
• South China Morning Post “Meet Iris Apfel”
• 2014 Documentary “IRIS” by Albert Maysles

About Iris Apfel:

Iris Apfel, born on August 29, 1921, in Queens, New York, is a renowned American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon. Alongside her husband Carl, she founded Old World Weavers in 1950, a textile firm celebrated for its reproduction of antique fabrics. Their work included notable projects like the restoration of the White House under nine presidents, enhancing its historical elegance.

Iris's distinctive personal style, characterized by bold accessories and eclectic fashion choices, made her a fashion muse and a beloved figure in the industry. Her influence was further cemented by the 2005 Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled "Rara Avis: The Irreverent Iris Apfel."

In addition to her work in design, Iris has collaborated with brands like MAC Cosmetics and H&M, bringing her unique aesthetic to a broader audience. She continues to inspire with her memoir "Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon" and a modeling contract with IMG signed at age 97, showcasing her enduring appeal and influence.

For more information, explore her memoir or the New York Times article.

About Adam Vicarel:

Adam Vicarel is a brand designer, lettering artist and mural painter who is obsessed with merging the worlds of fine art and strategic design. In his personal work Adam infuses his love for travel and the outdoors into his typography, illustration and storytelling to create visceral experiences for his audience. That’s visceral, not Vicarel.

His graph design studio, Vicarel Studios works on visual identity systems, packaging art installations, and more, and they’ve created for brands like NBC, Twitter, Lululemon, United Airlines and Sharpie. Their unique process of combining fine art with design allows them to craft provocative brands and artful experiences unbound by industry or medium.

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