London Undergrounds Typeface To Change For Digital Age BBC News

2/23/24, 11:15 AM London Underground's typeface to change 'for digital age' - BBC News
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London Underground's typeface

to change 'for digital age'
14 June 2016
TFL
Here is the new lettering on the London Underground roundel, but can you see the changes?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-36525214 1/9
The familiar typeface used for all London transport is changing, although
travellers may have to look hard to spot the difference.
The original font, introduced in 1916 by calligrapher Edward Johnston, has

been adapted to create "Johnston100".
Transport for London (Tfl) said it "contains subtle changes to make it fit for
purpose in the 21st century".
But only the slightest adjustments are to be made, and will appear on maps
and in stations later this year.
TFL
Spot the difference: the old typeface (in grey) beside the new Johnston100 lettering (in blue)
So subtle are the changes that, at first glance, a casual observer might miss
them.
But a closer inspection reveals minor differences to the shape of the lettering,
which have been revealed in images comparing the two fonts.
Tfl said the new style retains the "soul" of the original lettering.
As well as new symbols such as the hashtag and "at" sign, extra-thin weights
of the typeface have been created so that the same lettering can be used for
mobiles as in stations.
Jon Hunter, head of TfL design, said updating the typeface was "an important
step forward" in an an age of social media and apps.
TFL
The changes are more apparent when the old typeface (in grey) is overlaid with the new typeface (in blue)
"As social media has become more important, hashtags and at signs are more
important. Johnston never designed those because they were never needed,"
he said.
When Edward Johnston's original lettering was unveiled a century ago it was
considered revolutionary.
"Johnston Sans combined readability, beauty, simplicity," Donna Steel, the

curator of an exhibition about Edward Johnston at the Ditchling Museum of
Arts and Crafts said.
TFL
The greatest change can be seen in the shape of the "g"
The typeface was last updated for changes in printing technology more than 25 years ago
Monotype, the firm who have adapted the lettering, said designers had
studied old posters to "maintain the soul of the typeface" and bring back some
of its "idiosyncrasies".
In a blog, type director Malou Verlomme said letters like the lowercase "g" had
become "a little bit uniform" over the years.
"We hope this version of the 'lettering of London' for the digital age will last
for another 100 years and beyond," Mr Hunter said.
The history of London Underground's typeface
DITCHLING MUSEUM OF ART + CRAFT
In 1913 London Transport's managing director Frank Pick commissioned

Edward Johnston to create a typeface to bring visual uniformity to the
transport network
Johnston's new typeface, known as Johnston Sans, was introduced in 1916

and became the basis for the text used today
Designer Eicchi Kono updated the typeface in the 1970s to adapt it to new
printing technology, making changes like turning full stops into diamonds
In 2016 Johnston100 is introduced to make a digital friendly font and

includes new # and @ symbols
Source: TfL
More on this story

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1 September 2015
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2/23/24, 11:15 AM London Underground's typeface to change 'for digital age' - BBC News

Home News Sport Earth Reel Worklife

England Regions London

London Underground's typeface

The original font, introduced in 1916 by calligrapher Edward Johnston, has

"Johnston Sans combined readability, beauty, simplicity," Donna Steel, the

The greatest change can be seen in the shape of the "g"

The history of London Underground's typeface

DITCHLING MUSEUM OF ART + CRAFT

In 1913 London Transport's managing director Frank Pick commissioned

Johnston's new typeface, known as Johnston Sans, was introduced in 1916

In 2016 Johnston100 is introduced to make a digital friendly font and

More on this story

The typeface that prompted a small

Google updates main company logo

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

From other local news sites

Indefensible! Lawyer James Woolf turns novelist for new thriller

Leslie & Co: Redefining real estate with a personal touch

Council tax meeting overshadowed by clashes

Deptford rapper DigDat accused of Notting Hill shooting

Information about BBC links to other news sites

Why US politicians are Historical sites in On board the plane

Why some cyber- Britain's biggest

The 'mind-bending' Anger and fear in India Rosenberg: How two

The Taylor Swift drag

Elsewhere on the BBC

1 Man charged with murder of

3 Wendy Williams diagnosed

5 Navalny's mother says she

7 Footballer Dani Alves guilty

9 Texas student loses case

BBC News Services

Get news alerts Contact BBC News

Home Earth Travel Music Sounds

News Reel Culture TV

Sport Worklife Future Weather

Do not share or sell my info

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