There have been two articles about Tubemap on the Fast Company blog in the last few days, both by John Pavlus. The first (http://www.fastcodesign.com/1664662/the-london-tube-map-redesigned-for-a-multiscreen-world) generated some interesting comments so John posted a second (http://www.fastcodesign.com/1664692/is-the-london-tube-map-really-a-map-or-a-diagram-does-it-matter) which generated even more!
The debate about the meaning and purpose of design is an important one, in particular the relationship between the ‘product’ and the user and how a graphic (map/diagram/whatever) can help/hinder someone in their decisions. Future updates of the map will add to this debate as we explore ways to access more information through the website and app.
Your thoughts and comments are valuable in this process, let me know what you think.
RIP OFF!!!!!!!!!
TFL have made and sold the same map themselves for many many years:
http://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/ltm/maps/posters/product/London-connections-map.html
http://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/ltm/maps/posters/product/Londons-national-rail-network.html
Comment by TFL — August 8, 2011 @ 9:25 pm
What a profoundly bad idea: combining confusion with ugliness.
50% of all people are of below average intelligence (by definition). If 70% of viewers are reading the current Underground map correctly, I’d say it’s doing fine; reaching well into the dimwit population in addition to serving everyone else.
Put your map in the Tate if you must, but for God’s sake don’t foist it on the everyday commuter.
Comment by Ernest W. Adams — August 10, 2011 @ 6:48 pm
I think the new version is more complicated and less ‘at-a-glance’, thus less user friendly.
(It MIGHT be uglier too but I don’t care so much about that.)
Comment by Joel Cohen — August 13, 2011 @ 9:53 pm
I really like it, think it’s fab and super useful. Just looking at my neighbourhood though – Archway and Crouch Hill should be above and right of Holloway Rd respectively. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Sophie — August 16, 2011 @ 12:55 am
I think it is an excellent blend of the TfL geographic connections map (too complicated) and the normal TfL Beck-derived diagram (sometimes too simplistic).
Well done. I’d certainly use it in preference to the Beck diagram. And rather than being ugly, as some have said, I think it is rather pretty.
Minor suggestion. You have shown the new ELL London Overground extension ot Clapham Junction as terminating at right angles to the existing station. It almost looks as if a passenger could continue their journey at that point. In fact they will have to get out at Clapham Junction and then take another train back in the OPPOSITE directions to continue their journey straight on! How about bending the end of the Kensington-Clapham junction branch line around to the west before the station, if you see what I mean. The two lines would then meet a bit like to the two lines at Ealing Broadway do. This would be much closer to how it actually is geographically and would make it clear how a passenger changes trains.
But well done with the project.
Comment by Mal B — August 25, 2011 @ 11:24 pm