Unofficial Map: New York Subway by Tommi Moilanen
Redesigning the New York Subway Map sometimes feels like a bit of a âno winâ for designers, mainly because itâll always, always be compared to the seminal Massimo Vignelli diagram. That said, Iâm really liking this attempt by Tommi Moilanen, which embraces not only the Vignelli map and the design language of the subway system itself, but adds its own modern minimalist touches as well.
The first thing to note is that the map depicts weekday peak hour services using a very simple device: thick route lines equal express services, thin route lines equal local. Skip-stop stations are tinted back to a lighter shade. All this and more is explained in a wonderfully minimalist written word legend at the top right of the map. Keeping it simple really works here: the legend sets out the rules of the map very efficiently.
I also love the treatment of major interchange stations, as shown at Atlantic Avenue in the detail image above. The name of the station spans across the lines it serves, rather than sitting next to it, immediately indicating that this station is important. The typography and the black bar above the station name are deliberately reminiscent of the original Vignelli-designed subway signage, which was black type on a white background, the reverse of the current signage. The little curved joining line for transfers between lines is quite delightful, immediately and almost joyfully communicating that this part of the trip isnât made by train.
The boroughs are only indicated by large typographical labels and thin white dividing lines between them, reminding me of Vignelliâs thought that he should have left the water off his map as it was too distracting. Tommi instead uses little icons for landmarks throughout the city and the ubiquitous Central Park as guides for readers of the map. Central Park is perhaps the weakest part of the map for me: I find its colour way too dark and rich, and at odds with the simplicity of the rest of the background. As it is, it dominates the map almost completely, despite its small size.
Tommiâs used a 30/60° grid, which immediately sets it apart from most other diagrammatic maps of New York, Vignelliâs included. Heâs also included PATH within Manhattan, but doesnât show any stations on the New Jersey side, despite there being plenty of space to do so. Perhaps even a small label indicating which PATH stations could be reached off the edge of the map would be useful.
Our rating: Pays excellent homage to New Yorkâs transit design history, but manages to look fresh and new. Already one of my favourite alternative New York Subway maps. Head on over to Tommiâs page about the project to read more about its development. Four stars!
Source:Â Tommi Moilanen/Medium
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