Fig. 1. Image from: http://network9.biz/
Since 1904, when the subway in New York City first opened its doors, the world has been through a bunch of changes in graphic design norms. Art Nouveau, Minimalism, Cubism and Expressionism: these are just some of the art movements that happened in the 20th century. Unlike the Paris subway system, that displays deep inspiration of Art Nouveau in its architectural traces, the NYC subway remained mostly immune to any specific artistic style.
The typographic mosaic signs present in MTA’s subway system, previously mentioned here, are of Byzantine influence. Despite carrying some influence of an artistic style from several centuries ago, MTA’s subway stations are not overwhelmed by that one characteristic. That it so due to the way the mosaics are displayed next to modern-looking tiles and other neutral elements.
It wasn’t until 1966 that the visual identity of the New York City subway system was unified. As seen on the image above (Fig. 1), signage followed a rather anarchistic look, not following much hierarchy nor being really legible from a distance.
Fig. 2. Image from: http://cdn.stupiddope.com
From 1966 on, the New York City subway visual identity has been following the design style pictured above, on Fig. 2. Signed by Massimo Vinelli, the communication identity of the transit system is much more simple than before, and more effective. When commuting in a fast-paced city such as New York City, an easy-to-read signage is key.
