London Underground and New York Subway maps

New York Subway Guide


London Underground//Harry C. Beck//1931-1933

Both subway maps deal with information design. Subway maps are generally confusing to understand. Although these maps do not show the exact route of the subway train, the maps have simplified the information, making it easier to understand. In the map by Harry Beck, there are different colors to help distinguish between the different lines of the subway. The typeface Beck used is also easy to read.



Circuit Board photo//Rosa Menkman//2007

The first thing that came to mind when viewing the subway maps was circuit boards. I think circuit boards are beautiful and they look like the subway maps. The circuit boards lack the colors of the subway maps, but has the same intertwining lines.


The Legend of Zelda//Overworld Map

Thinking of circuit boards had me thinking of video games and more specifically Zelda. The layout of the old Zelda world looks like a simplified map. This image is actually the Overworld Map from the Legend of Zelda. I can imagine it as a subway map that Zelda would use to travel throughout his world.