20 
Don’t dismiss this as a sacrilegious attack on a global design classic. Spend a few minutes acclimatising yourself to this fantastic circular reinvention of London’s iconic tube map and it… makes sense.
This new round Underground map has been designed by Maxwell Roberts, a man who’s dedicated his recent years to working on map usability and the psychology that goes into making a good one that makes sense to even the most dazed and stumbling of tourists. It’s unofficial, and Roberts doesn’t think it’s ready to submit to TfL as a potential replacement for the angular classic, but it’s still a lovely piece of art.
The original, electrical diagram styling of London tube map designer Harry Beck is undeniably one of the most incredible pieces of design work there’s been, but the man didn’t have quite the same bewildering number of lines to incorporate as are found in London today, what with the recent new overground orbital sections that link the north and south of the city and more spaghetti-like extensions. Maybe it is time to move on? [Independent]
Click to embiggen
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It’s certainly jarring because of what we’re used to, but from a practical perspective it works, and I’d say a lot better than the existing version from a geographical reference perspective.
However, it’ll never fit on the tiny elongated spaces allocated for maps on the trains themselves
Bah, overuse of perspective.
egad, ITALICS
At least I made sure I closed the tag this time!
Actually, was it not on the post where I foo-bar’d that we spotted you were devoid of star?
It’s all about the black hole for me, mate.
I like it too. Definitely much more accurate geographically.
Great find Gary, I loved this map.
Beautiful, just beautiful.
It definitely sorts out the mess caused by the number of lines now circling London rather than passing straight through, and would tie in nicely with the TfL Zones map.
Sadly this will be the biggest innovation on the tube network for quite a while. Excellent map!
Aye
Yep, loving it too.
Loving the Tube logo in the middle
I’ve been staring at it for 10 mins and didn’t spot that!
It’s been future-proofed already with the inclusion of CrossRail too
Initially I thought it couldn’t work because of the requirement for having it printed on the trains but I guess they only have a sub section that’s relevant to that line. On further thought, it looks good.
It’s beautiful. Demand it now!
Needs more Eagle Transporter launch pads.
http://www.space1999.net/~catacombs/cybermuseum/MATN/matn1001.html
:p
That’s WAY better than my first thought;
http://furiousfanboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/falcon.jpg
No zones, inexiplicable right angles, warped topography – Sure it looks interesting, but is it practical?
Zones can be an easy addition, but in terms of warped topography, have you tried laying the current tube map over an actual map of London?
The circular design aids practicality. The concentric layout spaces out lines that might otherwise be mashed together, making them easier to find and easier to understand. Keep in mind that this map features Crossrail and Thameslink lines that aren’t on the current standard map.
Harry Beck proved that topographical accuracy is not a requirement for a good tube map, although this design does take that concept to its extreme. Trying to judge distances and journey times between stations might be difficult.
Even if it isn’t used on the trains it would look great as a feature wall in stations.
Although the underground logo would do with a bit of sexing up these days.
Definitely rate it.
It would make it a hell of a lot easier to give yourself a rough estimate of where the geographical locations of each station are.
I find it marginally harder to follow individual lines. For instance take the Met. Line from Liverpool Street to Finchley Road. The curve of the line as it turns past Baker Street isn’t the easiest to follow.
I do like the map as it is an interesting mix of form and function – getting the balance is by the main challenge.
heh, they’ve had one in Moscow for years
One circle and lots of straight lines. Not quite the same.
I quite like this!
“embiggen”
Prefer it.
I like this, I might use it from now on!
Can someone put this in an app please? Would much prefer to use this than the square one.