The London Underground

The London Underground: a designers dream.

The designer of the current London Underground map, Harry Beck (aka Henry Beck) was not graphic designer. In fact he was an train engineering draughtsman who had been made redundant by the London Transport authorities due to economic reasons. He created a much simpler, non geographic version of the map in which distances were distorted and areas moved around. This enabled the user to see more clearly where the train lines intersected and view all underground station names with ease and clarity. It is clear to see how things such as electrical circuit diagrams which would have been used in his profession as a draughtsman, have influenced the form of the map. His designs were initially met with caution and doubt, since he had produced something that the authorities believed to be too radical for the general public. Beck received just five guineas for his work. The success of the diagrammatic map can be seen in public transport systems across the world, most of which have been influenced or directly adapted Beck's design to become city specific.

Watch the BBC 4 Production which must have been filmed in 1987 when the Docklands Light Railway first opened. The film is made before the introduction of zones to the map and is a really interesting retrospective view from the 80s rejuvination of the underground.

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