Underground Map Designer Was Nearly Metro Map Designer
The Creative Review blog has a great article about Harry Becks, the designer of the world famous London Underground map and his involvement with the design of the Paris metro. Both maps are highly regarded by graphic designers as examples of visual communication at its best. Becks was approached by the Metro operator to design the Paris map but was rejected. Read the article for some interesting design history.
I remember seeing a ‘Discovery’ programme featuring ‘The Underground’ showing it’s development, this included the signage and the iconic map design. It was very interesting seeing some of the old drawings and the progression Becks made through to his finished design. It’s proof also that good design is timeless, you can see the lineage in today’s map, a version that is simple and easy to use.
Frans last blog post..A ‘Back to the Future’ solution for Polystyrene recycling.
Hi Fran, it’s pretty amazing really. You kind of take those things for granted and don’t really think about someone sitting down and designing it. AND in a time before computers!
As a child I remember my farther on my first trip to London explaing the underground to me so I cou;d fined my way back to our Hotel if lost. The map was that easy to follow!