The London Underground was highly influential in terms of the evolution in the era of modern design. In 1933, a new map was needed to guide travellers within the subway system and this necessity was the catalyst for the creation of a progressive piece of graphic design.
The map was designed by draftsman Henry C. Beck who presented a clean, diagram interpretation of the underground system. Edward Johnston originally designed the typeface - Johnston's Railway Type - in 1916 for use exclusively in the London Underground. Beck used this typeface for his map, rendering the over 2400 characters present in the map by hand.
Johnston's clean, geometric, functional typeface was revolutionary at the time - there was no embellishment and its purpose was to be effective. It went on to inspire many of the sans-serifs we know and are accustomed to today.
Maps in this time period, although quite accurate, were often cluttered with wandering geographic lines. Beck revolutionized map design at the time by eliminating unnecessary and confusing elements, replacing them with a diagram built on a grid, with strict horizontals and verticals. He used bright colours to differentiate between routes, increasing the functionality of his design. The public loved the design.
Personally, I believe Beck's design is beautiful. The simplicity and legibility make it extremely effective for its purpose, but the styling of the lines, the crispness of the lines and the colours makes it aesthetically pleasing as well.
