Rose – BECK TO THE FUTURE 2023

Description

Authored by Doug Rose of FWT London, a cartographer with extensive experience since 1966 and a history of designing over a thousand public transport maps, this 10-page ‘Observation Paper’ provides a timely and authoritative critique. Published in The Cartographic Journal in 2023/2024 under the British Cartographic Society, this paper offers a rigorous examination of the London Tube map. It is richly illustrated with 11 figures, including historical and current Tube maps, detailed interchange diagrams, typeface comparisons, and the author’s own re-design proposal. Rose critically assesses Transport for London’s 2022 map, highlighting significant usability issues stemming from increased complexity, poor geometry, and typeface choices that, he argues, detract from Henry Beck’s legacy. The paper serves as a vital call for user-centric design in iconic transport diagrams, offering an expert perspective on maintaining clarity and effectiveness in a constantly evolving urban network.