tlu

• London Underground font


  A masterpiece by calligrapher Edward Johnston in 1916
• The original font has recently undergone a barely noticeable transformation
• Johnston100


  The new adaptation of the London Underground font, introduced in 2016 by Transport for London (TfL)
• TfL states that the adjustments were made for a 21st-century adaptation, ensuring relevance in the modern era
• The new style retains the soul of the original while adapting to the needs of the 2000s
• Johnston100


  • Includes modern symbols such as # and @ to suit new communication needs
  • Aligns with the times, particularly with the rise of social media
• The inclusion of hashtags and at signs was essential in the new design, elements absent from Johnston's original work as they were unnecessary at the time
• Edward Johnston's original letters


  Revolutionary in nature
• Johnston100


  A delicate blend of readability, beauty, and simplicity, maintaining the essence of its predecessor
• Monotype, the firm behind the adaptation, delved into the history of the font by studying old posters to preserve the soul and idiosyncrasies of the typeface
• Evolution of the London Underground font

  1. 1913: London transport director Frank Pick commissioned Edward Johnston

  2. 1916: Introduction of Johnston Sans, serving as the base for the text used today

  3. 1970: Eicchi Kono adapted the font for new printing technology, making slight adjustments

  4. 2016: Johnston100 emerged, designed to be digital-friendly and to adapt to the changing needs of communication
• The London Underground font change, though barely noticeable, reflects a new change in balance and need for adaptation
• TfL hope that this change will last for the next 100 years, like Johnston Sans had
• Johnston Sans combined readability, beauty, simplicity," Donna Steel, the curator of an exhibition about Edward Johnston at the Ditchling Museum of Arts and Crafts said.
• Jon Hunter, head of TfL design,