Perhaps the most prominent and most talked about design is that of Massimo Vignelli.
#NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY MAP DESIGNER CRACK#
Over the years, several artists have taken a crack at redesigning the NYC transit map. Current version of New York City Subway Map first designed by Michael Hertz Associates in 1979 Many feel it attempts to convey too much information in a single diagram-resulting in a congested, overall ugly design. And its map design is continuously in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. NYC’s subway is one of the oldest and most extensive public transportation systems in the world. However, when it comes to “beautiful map design”-the “Big Apple” falls flat. New York City is referred to as the “biggest,” “best” and “trendiest” city for a variety of reasons. This design clearly takes inspiration from the London Underground Map. The weights of the circles for each station are thicker than the lines, helping give more white space to the map. The circular line pops out immediately, drawing your eyes to the center of the city. The routes flow more in correlation to their actual paths and the lines have icons that add character, almost as if the map is telling a story. This map feels very soft and romantic in comparison to the popular geometric maps we are used to seeing. Its balance between nature and modernity is characteristic of the Dutch city. Naturally Pleasant-AMSTERDAM Amsterdam Metro MapĪmsterdam’s green and blue topography complement the geometric representations of the rail system. If only the actual trains in Paris were as clean and beautiful as this map. Because the city’s rail is pretty simple (with only four lines running in a small area), a black background suits this map, making it extremely easy to navigate routes and transfers. Montreal stands out amongst the rest with its intense choice of background. A Bold Background that Works-MONTREAL Montréal Metro Map I love everything from its soft color palette to its faintly transparent rivers and streets. Pretty in Plaid-BANGKOK, THAILAND The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) serving the Bangkok Metropolitan Region in Thailandīangkok’s metro map resembles a plaid shirt that I want to wear. I also appreciate the icons that direct tourists to important sites (Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian), while others direct locals to commute options (parking lots, buses, and light rail stations). Metro Mapĭ.C.’s metro system map is wonderfully designed with transfer points that really pop out against its thick and brightly colored lines. Its soft color palate, thin line weights and use of white space make Madrid’s metro map very pleasant to navigate. Although geographically inaccurate, its timeless design has become the prototype for most of the world’s transportation systems. The map’s iconic status is due in part to its exemplary design principles and its utility for easy journey planning. Harry Beck’s London Tube Map is arguably the most famous map in the world. The Map that Revolutionized Transit Design-LONDON London In effect, modern maps have been exponentially easier to navigate and much better looking.īelow is a collection of transit maps that top the list in both beauty and utility. Over the years, transit maps have evolved from geographic representations to simplified diagrams.
It combines functionality with beauty, and survives as an inspiration to designers today.
London’s transit map set the bar for succeeding maps around the world.
Pushing geographic accuracy aside, Harry laid out underground routes using beveled edges turning at clean 90- and 45-degree angles. However, Harry Beck, mastered the art of communicating a complex system into a minimalistic diagram when he designed the London Underground map in 1931. Not to mention, the design of the subway map can directly influence ridership numbers and can indirectly have an effect on traffic congestion and pollution.ĭesigning a transit map for one of the biggest cities in the world is no easy task. Conversely, if a rail map is easy to navigate and pleasing to look at, it makes exploring that city much more enjoyable. If a map is cluttered, disorganized and confusing, then I judge that city accordingly. When traveling to a new city, transit maps often represent the first impression of that destination. As a directionally-challenged designer who loves to travel, I can appreciate a well-designed map.
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