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- Keechdesign News (29)
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Spot The Difference
Posted by: Keech on 18th Sep 2009 in Opinion
Our beloved Harry Beck 1933 masterpiece - the London Underground map is every inch a design classic. For me it sits very firmly in the top 10 greatest designs of all time. But over the years it has become increasingly cluttered with all sorts of bits and pieces, including the addition of grey fare zones, which have diminished its purity and elegance.
So a recent re-design and de-clutter was a very good thing for my money. But you can go too far with these things. The top map shows where we were up until recently - a long way from Beck's original super rational version. The bottom one shows the recent pruning job; nice and clean I think you'll agree, but without one important detail - the River Thames.
I always though maps were about orientation. Referencing oneself in relation to other landmarks. PUT THE RIVER BACK AT ONCE! You can't have any kind of map of London without the Thames. It's like having a map of the human circulatory system without the heart, or a map of the solar system without the sun! London is the Thames and the Thames is London.
I know I'm not alone in my rantings. This omission has had many a designer leaping up out of the comfort of their Eames chairs. But not just designers - Boris Johnson was well miffed:
"Can't believe that the Thames disappeared off the tube map whilst I was out the country! It will be reinstated," Johnson said on an official Mayor of London Twitter feed after returning from New York on Wednesday.
And they better do it a proper light blue too - thick at one and and thin at the other, with its unruly meanderings rationalised in the way that we all know and love.
Posted by: Keech on 18th Sep 2009 in Opinion
Our beloved Harry Beck 1933 masterpiece - the London Underground map is every inch a design classic. For me it sits very firmly in the top 10 greatest designs of all time. But over the years it has become increasingly cluttered with all sorts of bits and pieces, including the addition of grey fare zones, which have diminished its purity and elegance.
So a recent re-design and de-clutter was a very good thing for my money. But you can go too far with these things. The top map shows where we were up until recently - a long way from Beck's original super rational version. The bottom one shows the recent pruning job; nice and clean I think you'll agree, but without one important detail - the River Thames.
I always though maps were about orientation. Referencing oneself in relation to other landmarks. PUT THE RIVER BACK AT ONCE! You can't have any kind of map of London without the Thames. It's like having a map of the human circulatory system without the heart, or a map of the solar system without the sun! London is the Thames and the Thames is London.
I know I'm not alone in my rantings. This omission has had many a designer leaping up out of the comfort of their Eames chairs. But not just designers - Boris Johnson was well miffed:
"Can't believe that the Thames disappeared off the tube map whilst I was out the country! It will be reinstated," Johnson said on an official Mayor of London Twitter feed after returning from New York on Wednesday.
And they better do it a proper light blue too - thick at one and and thin at the other, with its unruly meanderings rationalised in the way that we all know and love.
Comments
Posted by Bec on 24th Sep 2009 01:05 AM
It's a nonsense and needs putting right back in.... that's what I think. And what's with the missing Zones?
It's a nonsense and needs putting right back in.... that's what I think. And what's with the missing Zones?
Posted by Jane on 24th Sep 2009 01:06 AM
Stupidity Sir! How can a daytripper find which side of the river they're gonna be if it ain't there? God forbid they landed unintentially South of the River!
Stupidity Sir! How can a daytripper find which side of the river they're gonna be if it ain't there? God forbid they landed unintentially South of the River!
Posted by Perc on 24th Sep 2009 01:08 AM
Does this mean the Thames is no longer a pedestrian area, I must sell my flippers.
Does this mean the Thames is no longer a pedestrian area, I must sell my flippers.
