Poster design reached new heights with the London Transport of the 1930s. A keen supporter of contemporary Art and design, it would commission a number of high-profile artists to create publicity posters to inspire and educate those who used its services. It has been documented that many of the passengers looked forward to seeing these colorful works of art that would eventually be in organized exhibits due to their popularity. Lucky for us, such an exhibit exists today at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. (http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1096)
Frank Pick was behind many of the most popular designs as the managing director of the London Transport in 1933. The most enduring of all came with the commission of Edward Johnston to design the original underground "Bullseye" logo. Updated over the years with minimal changes, the logo and font structure still exists very close to its original form.
I once had a student who had a boyfriend stationed with the military overseas in London. In the middle of my lecture on the historical significance of these communication masterpieces, she felt the need to stop me. On her keychain from her visit was the London Transport logo––near 80 years old and almost completely unchanged!
Is there, anywhere, a logo or system of communication that has withstood this test of time in being unbeatable in efficiency and still remaining (relatively) unaltered?
The privilege of seeing the London Transport posters first hand at the MOMA was one that a retro design geek will always cherish. Wish I had brought an extra pair of pants––I soiled myself with enthusiasm! The exhibition will be running though January 10, 2011. If you are in the Manhattan area––go see it and bring some extra garments for the ride home.
