The London Transport Museum's newly revamped London by Design gallery expertly showcases some of the key pieces of design commissioned by the organisation throughout its rich history.
With a strapline that no one could possibly argue with (Good Design Makes Life in London Better), London Transport's Transported by Design season continues with the launch of the revamped London by Design gallery at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.
While the importance of design has always been acknowledged by the Museum, the new gallery explores many different aspects of its influence on the corporation, including corporate identity, maps, posters and vehicle design from the early twentieth century to the present day. As you might expect, the work of the early pioneers of transport design – Frank Pick, Harry Beck, Edward Johnston and Charles Holden – are all celebrated, as well as more contemporary artists and designers including Thomas Heatherwick and David Shrigley.
As well as some of the classic posters and maps by the likes of Kauffer and Games, there's a chance to see original sketches and models (including one of the amazing Stockwell bus garage and an original mosaic made by Ebehard Schulze and Hans Unger poster), and although the space is by no means huge, there's certainly a wealth of incredible material to feast your eyes on. What resonates strongly as you immerse yourself in these carefully selected pieces is London Transport's incredibly high standards and unerring commitment to commission exemplary design.
If a visit to the LTM leaves you wanting more, then Grafik recommends the regular art and poster store tours held at the Museum's Acton Depot. In addition to these, self-confessed typophiles might like the depot's special Johnston Journeys tour, created as part of Transported by Design to mark the 100th anniversary of Edward Johnston's iconic typeface next year. Also forming part of next year's celebrations for Transported by Design, LT's former MD Frank Pick will be commemorated at Piccadilly Circus station.
In London Transport's recent search to find London's favourite transport design icon, it was Pick's work as a commissioner and Beck's tube map (along, of course, with the black cab), which gained the most votes. 100 of these design icons will go on show across the network next year, and to add to the excitement, Regent Street will host its very own design festival in the summer.
Read more about Transported by Design here.
London by Design
London Transport Museum,
London WC2E 7BB