d*s reader anne sent over a link to this great project from the london subway system, posted on design assembly. ian at design assembly wrote a great piece about the victoria line and its decorative tiles created by artists. i wish the nyc subway line would do more pieces like this. our subways do have great tile work (i do like the new starn bros. piece at the whitehall ferry stop), but these are seriously cool. here’s what ian has to say about the project:
“The Victoria Line was the first new underground line to cross central London since the beginning of the 20th century. It opened in three sections; in 1968 between Walthamstow Central and Warren Street, in 1969 extending to Victoria, and 1971 stretching down to Brixton. This new line provided the opportunity to produce a new and consistent look across the whole line, from the trains themselves to the stations and platforms. All aspects of design were overseen by Misha Black, the Design Consultant for London Transport (1964–1968), who previously had a similar role with British Rail. He employed the talents of the The Design Research Unit (DRU) – a collective of designers, artists and architects who designed all aspects of the VIctoria Line.
Each platform was designed with a very muted colour scheme, described by some of the press at the time as the ‘late lavatorial style’ (1, P58). The tiled designs in each seat recess provided much needed colour and decoration, and gave each stop its own visual identity. The results were a mixture of direct inspiration from the station name and references to historical details of the local area.“
i’ve chosen some of my favorite tile designs above and below, but you can click here to see all 16 designs at design assembly. thanks, anne!
20 Comments
It’s terrible but I live in London and take the Tube all the time, and I hardly ever notice the design. I really have to start opening my eyes a bit wider! The tiles in that first photo are fantastic.
As much as I’m jealous of these lovely tiles, with fare increases steadily looming, I’m okay with focusing on the basics in the NYC subway system.
How nice to have something so pretty to look at while waiting for the subway!
I wish these were around when I lived in London. I love the Stockwell, Seven Sisters, and Blackhorse Road designs.
Oh boy! I’m delighted you posted this! There are lots of great design elements incorporated in London’s Tube system; I’ll keep my eyes peeled for more good sites.
these are great to look at. makes the world a prettier place.
Hi. I’m sooo glad to see and read what wonderful work is out there. Now I had to respond to “i wish the nyc…” now, don’t we live in a free society? Why can’t we do that? What prevents us (U.S.) to do this? Isn’t this a time for change? You know, we have a great leader in this country- go for the change.
these are to die for!! so neat.
I’ve always admired these tiles. Nice to hear a bit of the history…funny how we take things for granted!
I love public art, it really brighten’s my day! I find it hard to be happy in the morning, especially if I have to take the subway underground…these would totally brighten my day!
Love this!!!
i agree with the comment before mine…it’s things like this that really make me smile.
It’s much nicer with art underground. In Lisbon all our stations are full with art : http://www.visitportugal.com/NR/exeres/00D6C466-DA86-4ACF-B662-C55B3C907515,frameless.htm
Seven Sisters is my local tube station and the tiles are always a treat to look at while you wait! It’s great to read a bit of history about the various designs as I wasn’t familiar with all of them.
I don’t think those designs are all that great. In fact rather non descriptive or worse lazy design effort and work. Better to leave something alone than turning it into an eye sore. BTW, NYC subways have character too bad so many are being changed the old tile work is beautiful and historic.
I love the tiles on the Victoria line. I live in Stockwell and see the Swan tiles everyday but I doubt many people commuting through the station have even noticed the swan represented in the tiles. I also love the tiles at the nearby Brixton station, representing a ‘ton of bricks’, very clever.
The design work that has been done for London Transport over the years is brilliant, from the groundbreaking tube map design to the iconic tube station ’roundel’, graphic design at it best.
Meh…I actually prefer the art in the NY and LA systems.
Back in the day, you got to see Keith Haring drawings on the black subway poster boards.
The underground tiles here are nice, but nothing I would switch out with Elizabeth Murray’s “Blooming” @ Lexington Avenue & 59th Street
I ride the train from Seven Sisters to Euston and back almost every day. So interesting to read a post about it! I never knew anything about the tiles.
Just to clarify – these tiles aren’t part of a new project – they’ve been there since the 60′s.
Wow those are really out there, totally different to anything I have ever seen. These designs are really amazing. Not that I myself would use them, as they are a little crazy and busy.
Very cool! I was wandering around Union Square and stumbled upon a store called Country Floors, they could totally do something like this. Wish I actually owned my apartment so I could rip out my bathroom.
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