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"The London Underground map is one of the most recognisable in the world" Why? How is it more recognizable that, say, the Paris one? Or New York? EDIT: Since

"The London Underground map is one of the most recognisable in the world" Why? How is it more recognizable that, say, the Paris one? Or New York? EDIT: Since there are down votes, I will clarify my question do that we do not jump into underground nationalism: I was looking for unique features that make it recognizable. As I mentioned in a comment: the ~~Peru~~ (EDIT: Nepal) flag is unique, this recognizable for instance. If the map was round then yes, it is recognizable. Does it have any such features? Or is it just recognizable because London is well known, so some stations are too? EDIT 2: Please see PaulRobinson's answer for details

airstrike 2y ago
> one of > more than
Freak_NL 2y ago
It is "one of the most recognisable". That statement does not define which underground maps are the most recognisable in the world, just that London is one of them, which is undoubtedly correct.
- whycome 2y ago
  It doesn't even specify "underground"
- BrandoElFollito 2y ago
  Well, it is likely recognisable for someone who have used it in the past. I was looking for some features that make it stand out. The Peru flag is one of the most recognizable because of its shape. The American one because, well, America :)
  - dustincoates 2y ago
    Am I missing something? The Peru flag is a 2:3 rectangle, which is the most common flag shape.
    - BrandoElFollito 2y ago
      No, you are not missing anything - I meant the Nepalese flag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Nepal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Nepal)
BrandoElFollito 2y ago
Since there are down votes, I will clarify my question do that we do not jump into underground nationalism: I was looking for unique features that make it recognizable. As I mentioned in a comment: the Peru flag is unique, this recognizable for instance. If the map was round then yes, it is recognizable. Does it have any such features? Or is it just recognizable because London is well known, so some stations are too?
PaulRobinson 2y ago
The "classic" Harry Beck London tube map is widely considered by design experts to be a masterpiece of map design, and it appears in design contexts, not just in the context of a map on the tube. Over time this has caused TfL to attract people interested in designing for users of public transport, and they created a design system that is now licensed, and they do consultancy, so you will see "TfL style" design in other cities. The tube "roundel", map and advertising poster archive is all considered key commercial IP assets. Many other public transport entities try to mimic TfL as a result, either by licensing directly (Dublin buses do this IIRC), or trying to look a bit similarly abstract and "clean" but with their own vibe. Weirdly this just makes the TfL design system even more recognisable to some people. Another transport related design system from the UK that's worth looking into if you are interested in such things is the road signage system that was overhauled in the 1960s. It also highly regarded in the international design community: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15990443 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15990443
- BrandoElFollito 2y ago
  Thank you for the answer (that is not a semantic discussion /end-of-rant) I had no idea that the London map inspired so many others (among them - the Paris one I mentioned in my question), I thought that the design was rather a typical one for maps of underground services the same way as ground maps look more or less the same (at lest in their raw design). TIL.

airstrike 2y ago

> one of > more than

Freak_NL 2y ago

It is "one of the most recognisable". That statement does not define which underground maps are the most recognisable in the world, just that London is one of them, which is undoubtedly correct.

whycome 2y ago
It doesn't even specify "underground"
BrandoElFollito 2y ago
Well, it is likely recognisable for someone who have used it in the past. I was looking for some features that make it stand out. The Peru flag is one of the most recognizable because of its shape. The American one because, well, America :)
- dustincoates 2y ago
  Am I missing something? The Peru flag is a 2:3 rectangle, which is the most common flag shape.
  - BrandoElFollito 2y ago
    No, you are not missing anything - I meant the Nepalese flag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Nepal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Nepal)

BrandoElFollito 2y ago

Since there are down votes, I will clarify my question do that we do not jump into underground nationalism: I was looking for unique features that make it recognizable. As I mentioned in a comment: the Peru flag is unique, this recognizable for instance. If the map was round then yes, it is recognizable. Does it have any such features? Or is it just recognizable because London is well known, so some stations are too?

PaulRobinson 2y ago

The "classic" Harry Beck London tube map is widely considered by design experts to be a masterpiece of map design, and it appears in design contexts, not just in the context of a map on the tube. Over time this has caused TfL to attract people interested in designing for users of public transport, and they created a design system that is now licensed, and they do consultancy, so you will see "TfL style" design in other cities. The tube "roundel", map and advertising poster archive is all considered key commercial IP assets. Many other public transport entities try to mimic TfL as a result, either by licensing directly (Dublin buses do this IIRC), or trying to look a bit similarly abstract and "clean" but with their own vibe. Weirdly this just makes the TfL design system even more recognisable to some people. Another transport related design system from the UK that's worth looking into if you are interested in such things is the road signage system that was overhauled in the 1960s. It also highly regarded in the international design community: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15990443 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15990443

BrandoElFollito 2y ago
Thank you for the answer (that is not a semantic discussion /end-of-rant) I had no idea that the London map inspired so many others (among them - the Paris one I mentioned in my question), I thought that the design was rather a typical one for maps of underground services the same way as ground maps look more or less the same (at lest in their raw design). TIL.