In 1933 a young engineer (Harry Beck) looked at the London Underground Map and identified a problem. The lines were tangled, woven and made it difficult for commuters to use.
The original map, before Harry Beck.
Harry Beck spent months working on a new design for the map and after many trial runs the new map design was implemented in all underground stations.
Harry Beck's map, 1933.
The current underground map has gone through modernisation but still uses Beck's original framework. Beck's map revolutionised transport maps worldwide as most underground services around world began using the design as a guideline for their own maps.
The current underground map, 2015.
Why it's my favourite
This is my favourite piece of design as it reaches such a large audience and simplifies a service that millions of people use each year. I think this is a prime example of function before form as the map designed by Beck abandoned the geographical locations of each line in favour of a unified and simple aesthetic. I based two of my university projects around the tube map as I found it so interesting. I spent a lot of time researching the London Underground and Harry Beck and in turn I became very interested in way-finding and service design.
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