Mr. Beck's Underground Map by Ken Garland

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See Also: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Becks-Underground-Map-Garland/dp/1854141686

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Reviews (1)

Filled Star - Denotes One PointFilled Star - Denotes One PointFilled Star - Denotes One PointFilled Star - Denotes One PointFilled Star - Denotes One Point by mgaved on 03 Oct 2007

Fantastic book. One of the greatest unsung heroes of graphic design, Harry Beck, an employee with London Underground, revolutionised the company's map of their tube system, and influenced transport mappers since. In the 1920s, London Underground used a geographically accurate map of their train stations and lines, leading to cramped central visualisations and spaced out distant suburban stops. Harry Beck was the genius who made the leap and suggested a new map design based on electrical circuitry, and abstracting the distances and relationships to produce a cleaner, more useful map. For the next 20 years Harry was responsible for the deisgn of the London Underground maps, and in spite of some disasterous attempts at innovation in the 60s and 70s, this is the design we still see today. The book shows some of the early pre-Beck map, explains his thinking, and shows the evolution of his sketches and ideas through several generations of the map, as well as throwing light on the internal politics within the company and revealing how he was little rewarded for his labours. Fascinating for lovers of maps and graphic design as well as anybody who's wondered about the Underground map they've used. Beautifully illustrated.

# Paperback: 80 pages
# Publisher: Capital Transport Publishing (5 Dec 1994)
# Language English
# ISBN-10: 1854141686
# ISBN-13: 978-1854141682

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