This week on the AnOther Loves stream the Most Loved post of the week is Tube map of the world, which features the lines of the traditional tube map positioned over a map of the world with corresponding stops...
The humble tube map is arguably one of the most important pieces of graphic design in existence. Essentially a schematic transit map representing the lines and stations of London’s underground system, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground it is used by over 28 million people each year to navigate themselves around the city. Originally designed by Harry Beck in 1931, during his spare time while working as an engineering draftsman at the London Undergound Signal Office, it has since undergone several variations most notably changing from a geographical diagram to a linear one.
The tube map has become an icon of both London and British design and is heralded as a revolutionary piece of graphical communication. Cited by academics and designers as a “design classic” the London Underground does not usually permit the design to be used or altered for any other purposes. However it has been officially sanctioned on a few occasions, namely: David Booth’s The Tate Gallery by Tube, 1986, is one of a series of publicity posters for the Underground showing the lines of the map squeezed out of tubes of paint. Paul Middlewick’s Animals on the Underground, 1987, features animals created in the tube map by linking lines. Simon Patterson’s The Great Bear, 1992, appears like the tube map but instead uses each line to represent groups of famous people. And in 2006 The Guardian published a design based on the map, purporting to show the relationships between musicians and musical genres in the 20th century.
This week on the AnOther Loves stream the Most Loved post of the week is Tube map of the world, which features the lines of the traditional tube map positioned over a map of the world with corresponding stops. Here we speak to its Lover, Tish Wrigley about her Love and her daily commute.
Why did you choose to Love it?
I thought it was beautiful, charming and clever. The London tube map is so iconic that it really can't be improved on, but I loved this twist to it.
If you were getting on at London where would you choose to get off?
New York is a swift two stop trip with just one change, but I think this journey would be all about the travelling, so a round trip round South America starting from Lisbon is a good start. Alternatively, Naples is well served by three lines, so I would head there and then make up my mind.
Do you get the tube as part of your daily commute – if so what line and what do you fill your travelling time with?
I take the Circle line daily from Westbourne Park, so my time is filled with reading and daydreaming about the Raleigh bike I don't have, the one that would make the journey so much cheaper and less riddled with armpits and sneezing businessmen.
What are your commuting essentials?
Books (I'm currently reading The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes) and a steely glare. I have the seat capturing instincts of a seasoned professional, battering all out of my way except the pregnant and elderly.
What was the last thing you bought?
A black trilby. In my quest to become a 'hat person' I wear it everyday to banish the sense of oddity. However, the other day I was resoundingly abused for it on the street so my 'hat' confidence has taken a knock.
What’s your favourite online shop?
At the moment I am sending lots of thank you cards and have a stationary crush on David Shrigley. Polite has lots of his stuff.
Text by Lucia Davies
