If youre a fan of graphic design history, you might be familiar with jesse. Station names and metro lines were spelled out in a hodgepodge of sizes, shapes, and styles. An original copy of this book is on display in moma. While london boasts the worlds oldest underground train network opened in 1863 and boston built the first subway in the united states in 1897, the new york city subway soon became the largest. You can finally buy the design manual that defined the nyc subway. The design bible behind new york citys subway republished as a. And we want our ads to be conversation starters for new york subway riders.
Graphic design illustration book illustration illustrations nyc subway flat design art inspo art projects special agent train. The great new york subway map book moma design store. One mans opus to new yorks subway art, decades in the making. Massimo vignelli, the design mastermind behind new york citys subway map among many other things passed away earlier this year, but one of his most timeless pieces of work is coming back thanks. Produced by the new york transit museum, this abundantly illustrated design history traces the origins and development of subway cars and stations, including ceramic and metalwork detailing, ticket booths, signage, route maps and advertising.
Nyc transit authority graphics standards manual, by massimo. The mosaics of the nyc subway combine art and function also speak of a rich, storied history. The new york city subway map as youve never seen it. The new york city subway of the mid1960s was a chaotic mix of. The new york city subway is a rapid transit system owned by the city of new york and leased to the new york city transit authority, a subsidiary agency of the staterun metropolitan transportation authority mta. Please note that, except solely for your own personal and noncommercial use, no part of these maps may be copied or used without the prior written permission of the metropolitan transportation authority. Dec 02, 2019 new york city was on the brink of bankruptcy in the 1970s. Manual became one of the worlds classic examples of modern design. I was so happy that the book did this important project justice, displaying it in a high quality and timeless fashion. We carry the largest collection of ny subway items available. Margi brown, vp of marketing and media of sofi tearsheet we like subway ads because we want to create a presence in new york city where trends are set. It essentially never closes, except for major incidents such as hurricanes.
Nyc transit authority graphics standards manual counterprint. For more information, see paul shaws book, helvetica and the new york city subway system mit press, 2011. In the 1960s, the new york subways were a mess, signwise. The manual describes the design and construction for the iconic nyc subway signs that we still see and use today, but above all its a beautiful and important. For some of the most artistic signs in the city visitors go underground to the subway. When designer massimo vignellis redesigned new york city subway map appeared in 1972, people were less than enthusiastic. On the other hand, if you have a son like mine, who loves to ride the rails and look at the subway map, then this book is fantastic. Artist who designed nyc subway station mosaics releases. This site has the official subway maps, line maps, train and station information, mta twitter, mta contact information, metrocards, subway safety and popular tourist destinations. The absolute beginners guide to the new york subway.
Were excited to announce the launch of subway library, a new initiative between the new york public library, brooklyn public library, and queens library, the mta, and transit wireless that provides subway riders in new york city with free access to hundreds of ebooks, excerpts, and short storiesall ready to read on the train. I was so happy that the book did this important project justice, displaying it in a high. Designers jesse reed and hamish smyths new design office, order, features what is possibly nycs first dedicated graphic design bookshop. Bob noorda were approached by the new york city transit authority to create a visual identity. May 27, 2014 this is the timeless work of the man who made nyc s iconic subway map. The link will take you to an excellent article on the history of the subway systems mosaic signage. If you found yourself in the new york city subway in the 1960s, you were probably lost. All other codes, bulletins, code notes, rules, and local laws can be accessed at these locations.
Having mostly marketed and sold their books from the internet, reed and. Mta granted permission to reissue the manual as a hardcover book. You can finally buy the design manual that defined the nyc. A new york based publisher focused on archiving and preserving artifacts of design history to make them. July 1978 to document the artistic decor of the new york city subway system in words and line drawings, figuring hed be. Choose from 16 different sets of nyc subway flashcards on quizlet. The mostly true story of helvetica and the new york city subway. Rosy founded books on the subway in nyc in 20, after learning about books on the underground in london. I also thought it would be a very long time before such a volume could be surpassed in any way. Mta maps subway, bus, long island rail road, metronorth. Since the program was founded, a diverse group of artists including elizabeth murray, faith ringgold, eric fischl. The popular graphic poster program was established in 1991 to celebrate the diverse communities that make up the new york region. Pentagram designers bring back massimo vignellis 1970s new. The fire killed the operator, injured at least 16 others, and severely damaged the north part of the station and the train cars.
Sep 18, 2017 photographer brian kelleys collection of subway ephemera is cataloged in a new coffee table book, objects. Are you planning a subway themed party, look no further fior all of your gifts and decorating ideas. New york city was on the brink of bankruptcy in the 1970s. Inside the mta transit sign shop that makes all of nycs. Iconic nyc subway design guide from the 70s is being. The popular graphic poster program was established in 1991 to celebrate the diverse. The subway is a really costefficient medium from a reach and frequency standpoint. New york subway nyc subway corporate identity design brand identity design book design web design. Jun 08, 2017 were excited to announce the launch of subway library, a new initiative between the new york public library, brooklyn public library, and queens library, the mta, and transit wireless that provides subway riders in new york city with free access to hundreds of ebooks, excerpts, and short storiesall ready to read on the train.
New york city transit authority reed, jesse, smyth. Nov 08, 2018 simplified metro system maps have been adopted by cities around the world, but when new york city tried to follow suit the public pushback forced a reversal. Final authority for the design and construction of the subway rested with the engineers of the board of rapid transit. Mta new york city subway large print edition, with railroad connections jamaicasutphin blvd long island rail road subway airtrain jfk 34 streetherald sq subway city hall subway bklyn bridgecity hall subway 4,5,6 only court stborough hall subway jay stmetrotech subway 2,3 and northbound 4,5 atlantic avbarclays ctr long island rail. Pentagram designers bring back massimo vignellis 1970s.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. To place an order by phone, please call 646 2522475 mondays fridays, 10am 5pm your purchase supports new york transit museum exhibitions and education programs. We dont attempt to keep track of up to the minute, accurate information about fares, schedules, service outages, etc. The nyc subway system, with its colored, lettered or numbered subway lines, is worldrenowned for its ease of understanding.
They were not only inconsistent in terms of style bu. In 2004 the centennial year for the original irt subwaywe have new york subways. It has allowed us to amplify our message to a commuter audience with a very specific message. The new york city subway was a confusing mess in the 1960s, with inconsistent, haphazard signage that made navigating the system a nightmare for commuters. Nyc subway book projects illustrations and posters vector art scene texture taipei brushes. Apr 06, 2016 subways are a great place to catch up on your reading. She moved from lebanon in 2012 and has always been an avid reader and book enthusiast. Artist who designed nyc subway station mosaics releases free. Vintage massimo vignelli subway map new york, new york. The new york city subway map as youve never seen it before.
Nov 29, 2004 back then, i thought the book was an incredible tribute to the rolling stock of the new york city subway system. Margi brown, vp of marketing and media of sofi tearsheet. Beautifully displaying the original graphics of the nyc transit graphic standards manual, this reissue immortalizes one of the most prominent and far reaching design projects to date. Guide map to the architecture, art and design of the new york subway bloodworth, sandra, tonn, linda, woods, jason on. If you found yourself in the new york city subway in the 1960s, you were. The original mosaic tiles had been joined by cut stone and terracottaall of which clashed with newer enamel signs. Simplified metro system maps have been adopted by cities around the world, but when new york city tried to follow suit the public pushback forced a reversal.
The rare, iconic design guide behind new york city subway. Produced by the new york transit museum, this abundantly illustrated design history traces the origins and development of subway cars and stations, including. Produced by the new york transit museum, this abundantly illustrated design history traces the origins and development of subway cars and stations. Opened in 1904, the new york city subway is one of the worlds oldest public transit systems, one of the mostused, and the one with. An excellent source of information regarding this type of structure is the book, building the new rapid transit system of new york city circa 1915, published by xplorer press. The true maybe story excellent hardcover book, also by paul shaw. New york city is a chaotic place, and in the 1960s, no place was more chaotic than the new york city subway system, says pentagram partner michael bierut, who was a. How reprinting the mtas standards manual kickstarted a brooklyn. The nyc construction codes consist of the general administrative provisions, building code, plumbing code, mechanical code, fuel gas code, and energy conservation code. New york subway merchandise, magnets, party plates and cups, cufflinks, snowglobes, ornaments, paperweights, mugs, puzzles and more. The simple and iconic design of new york city subway signage is based on ideals set forth in the 1970.
Sep 15, 2014 the new york city subway was a confusing mess in the 1960s, with inconsistent, haphazard signage that made navigating the system a nightmare for commuters. On the early morning of march 27, 2020, at around 3. Fullsize reissue of the nycta graphics standards manual. Artist nancy blum, who designed flower mosaics for the 28th street station, has recently converted five collections of her artwork into coloring pages. But how do people react to book covers that are a little embarrassing, and also pretty hilarious.
Subways are a great place to catch up on your reading. While the subway system is the primary mode of transportation in new york, it is not the only transportation system in the greater metropolitan area. The great new york subway map book moma design store a great way to introduce young readers to the idea of graphic design as a way to solve problemssuch as creating a map that can be understood by new yorkers and outoftowners alike. Oct 08, 2015 one mans opus to new yorks subway art, decades in the making.
Vignelli died tuesday at 83 after decades of iconic design work. The new york city transit authority graphics standards manual. Nyc subway book projects illustrations and posters vector art scene texture taipei brushes instagram nyc subway designed by the bearded. Oct 01, 2004 unlikely as it may seem, the 100th anniversary of the new york city subway system was the impetus for a handsome book, subway style. Where previous versions relied on a more recognizable approach to the. This is the timeless work of the man who made nycs iconic subway map. New york subway system transports over 5 million passengers every weekday and about 3 million passengers each day on the weekend. And its all thanks to this decidely uncolorfully titled book. Tour of the art in the new york city subway, with darryl reilly as your guide. Pentagrams michael bierutand vintage books from the pairs own collections. The book that wrote nycs subway design plain magazine.
Part of smyth and reeds deal with the mta was that the book would be. Led by a licensed nyc guide this tour travels through subway stations to see municipally commissioned artworks. Nearly fifty years ago, the new york city transit authority hired bob noordas unimark. Back then, i thought the book was an incredible tribute to the rolling stock of the new york city subway system. Welcome to subway 101, a new series in which we attempt to demystify the complex, enormous, and oftenfrustrating new york city subway system. New york city is a chaotic place, and in the 1960s, no place was more chaotic than the new york city subway system, says pentagram partner michael bierut, who was a mentee of one of the manuals. Photographer brian kelleys collection of subway ephemera is cataloged in a new coffee table book, objects. New yorks subway trinkets get a beautiful visual archive. Books on the subway is an excellent team committed to bringing books directly to the audience.
Pentagram designers bring back massimo vignellis 1970s new york city subway style guide. Sep 11, 2014 massimo vignelli, the design mastermind behind new york citys subway map among many other things passed away earlier this year, but one of his most timeless pieces of work is coming back thanks. This is the timeless work of the man who made nycs iconic. Tags history article signage voice graphic design typography information design paul shaw is a calligrapher and typographer working in new york city. The longlost design bible of the new york subway is briefly back. A great way to introduce young readers to the idea of graphic design as a way to solve problemssuch as creating a map that can be understood by new yorkers and outoftowners alike. The mostly true story of helvetica and the new york city. Working with them has become an important part of our campaigns, and our authors love seeing their books all around nyc.
Inside standards manual, the nyc bookstore dedicated to archiving. An illustrated history of new york citys transit cars. With some exceptions the whole subway system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Guide map to the architecture, art and design of the new york subway. If you dont live in nyc or arent familiar with the citys subway system, then i doubt you or your children will see the appeal. Why new yorkers insisted on a worse subway map cheddar. Depictions of trains, subway stations and the nyc skyline tell the story of how graphic designer massimo vignelli created a new subway map in 1972. Unlikely as it may seem, the 100th anniversary of the new york city subway system was the impetus for a handsome book, subway style.