Mind the Gap.

Image from: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/clive.billson/tubemaps/1933.html

A lot of London’s tourism is based off of its famous underground “tube”.  There are numerous souvenirs available with maps of the underground, none of which would be here today if it were not for Harry Beck.  Harry Beck designed the first London Underground Map in 1931. 

The type found on the map is Johnston’s Railway Type, and was designed by Edward Johnston in 1916.  This typeface has been influential because it embraced function over form.  There were no unnecessary embellishments or elements just a simple, easy to read typeface.  Very similar to the popular sans serif typefaces that exist today.

 A lot of map designs in Beck’s time were overly crowded with extra elements that did not make reading a map very easy.  Beck’s design included only the bare minimum of information needed to remain functional and to preserve simplicity.  He used bright colours and straight lines to make the map easier to read, which was greatly appreciated by tube users. 

         I really enjoy Beck’s design.  I find it very easy to read and very recognizable which is fantastic if you are in a foreign city trying to find your way around.  I appreciate how he strayed away from the curved lines of previous maps to create a more organized feel for the new map.

As the English would say…

Cheerio Chap!