London Undergrond map

I've blogged this one before. It actually was one of my first posts. But I thought I'd do a reblog. The first time I was in London - at the age of 16 - fell in love with the London Underground; the trains, stations, the roundel, the way signing, the typography and the font by Edward Johnston. But my special interest goes out to the London Undergrond map, the schematic diagram of lines. Information design at its best.

The map I have is from 1978 and if you're a little familiar with the map it's quite easy to see the style of the map hasn't changed much. 

The first diagrammatic map of London's tube was designed in 1931 by Harry Beck, an engineer. It was an uncommissioned spare-time project for him. His diagrammatic approach was groundbreaking and his design concept has been widely adopted for other network maps around the world. 

Post #998 - Information design

I love information design, especially where you wouldn't expect it. 

This is a cooking 'compas' which tells you how long to cooks fruit, vegetables and meat

These two tables are instructions for photographing: using the flash, chosing the right film etc.

Please note: Tomorrow I'll be posting my 999th post! Check back in if you're interested in a give away.

Our own country

An atlas about the Netherlands. Eventhough we're a small country it's still possible to fill a whole atlas about Holland.

Encyclopedic (world) maps

For all of you who need some holiday inspiration!

Collected agendas

I love a well designed agenda. I love them so much that I never want to use them, I prefer to keep them 'clean'. I have a small collection of agendas I never used which are beautifully designed, the concept, the typography and the photography. These where all a gift. Most of them were given to me by paper suppliers, printers or friends. The ones shown in these pictures are examples of the Munken Agenda. (Munken is a paper brand.) These agenda's always show photos by Magnum, the photographic cooperative.

World atlas

British Railways timetable

Timetables are interesting typographic puzzles, a true challenge for information designers; how to make it easy for passengers to plan their trip without getting lost in all those names and numbers.

Snowdon

Vintage Ordnance Survey map from 1962. My boyfriend bought this one after climbing the Snowdon.

Map of France

Another great find in 'la bibliothèque' in Germont. This one stood the test of time; still folds and unfolds easily!

Travelling in and around London

London Transport has always been my fascination. Back in Art College it wrote my thesis about the London Underground; the map and the way signing. I consider the London Underground Map one of the best graphic design pieces ever and I love the London Transport corporate identity (the logo, the colours and the type face). I bought these maps and leaflets in St. Ives when we were there on holiday, a long time ago. I remember I was over the moon when I found these. They're all from the early seventies. Vintage, I'd say.