A brief to celebrate history

In 1916 the work of the calligrapher Edward Johnston became synonymous with the unification of The Underground Group. Under the direction of Frank Pick, Johnston created a font that ran across the entire network of railways which had, up to that point, all used different signage and different typography. We were selected alongside a handful of the UK’s most exciting graphic and design agencies including Alan Kitching, Build, Sea Design, Studio Frith and Pentagram.

A pattern inspired by the fabric of London

Johnston’s typeface is iconic for everybody who lives in or visits London, and that’s the concept we wanted to base our design. Using printed woodblock letters from the Johnston typeface, we created patterns that replicated the underground seats. The poster aims to communicate the hustle and bustle of London as well as the constant presence of Johnston in our everyday journeys, becoming “The Fabric of London”. The posters were exhibited on show at an exhibition entitled “The Language of London” at KK Outlet – May 2016 and displayed throughout the London Underground during the summer of 2016.