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Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design Design of the London Underground

‘There can be no art without design, which is thought.'

-Frank Pick

a journey

through design

Context:

The design history of the London Underground has been a grand one. Giving birth to some of the most iconic graphic design of the twentieth century. The organisation boasts an archive of classic designs from the globally recognised map of Harry Beck to the vast collection of stylish and innovative posters.

Many years on, the iconic designs remain celebrated, and contemporary designs are forever being used to promote a company whose service is not only to maintain a high standard of transportation around the capital, but also to present the public with innovative and exciting designs.

Preparation/ Research suggestions Consider the appropriate way to display relevant information and what formats would best work when designing promotional material. Consider target audience and how you will still incorporate the designs/branding of the London Underground (as it will display their history) with the style and input of your designs to create an interesting and suitable exhibition proposal. Consider style and approach to design and look at how other exhibitions have worked successfully.

Brief: A journey through design.

The brief is to create the branding and exhibition design for a proposed exhibition that will take place in July 2014. The best way to display the successful work of the London Underground is through the use of a well-designed exhibition that enables the audience to see the journey of design. Designing the plan for a future exhibition will be an appropriate format as the London Underground have recently celebrated their 150 year anniversary. The exhibition should work as a travelling display around the UK to celebrate the designs outside of London.

Theory into practice:

The question for my written piece was ‘How has the design contributed to the London Undergrounds success?’ The brief was to propose an exhibition that will eventually be put on at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Building in Kings Cross. Due to my essay question I thought an exhibition showcasing London Undergrounds classic designs would be a fitting format and could also be linked to the 150 year anniversary the tube celebrated in 2013.

However, as it was a main focus in my essay, I would like one of the main focuses of this exhibition, as well as showcasing the history of the London Undergrounds design work, to be design principles of Frank Pick. Pick was the pioneer of the London Underground design movement, and these theories and design concepts are visibly linked when the design of the Underground was taking shape. It will also focus on the design principles of the DIA (Design and Industries Association) and Pick being a leading member championed these ideas of 'form follows function' which is displayed most successfully through his design work on the Underground.

Putting theory into practice I have tried to keep the theme of the work mainly focused on these aspects. Throughout my essay the theory that was applied was 'medieval modernism' a concept by Michael T. Saler, who believes due to Picks traditionalist beliefs inspired by William Morris, combined with the contradicting progressive ideas (accepting the machine) was an appropriate title for the man behind the modernist styling of the city through the Underground.

a journey through design

Bearing this in mind I have designed the work in a modernist style incorporating the design philosophies of Pick and the DIA.

Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design The Brief

a journey through design Venue hire:

I contacted various venues to enquire about putting the exhibition on in the summer, resulting in success with a space in Kings Cross: ‘Dear Kathryn We are delighted that you have chosen the Unison Centre as a possible venue for your exhibition.

As Britain’s largest public service trade union, we are happy to support events such as yours which celebrates a public service. Our building is a redevelopment of the listed Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. The hospital interior has been preserved where possible and itself houses a museum on the history of the building and its founder Elizabeth Garrett Anderson.

The building is fully accessible and we can offer a variety of rooms for your exhibition depending on the size. In addition, you can hire additional equipment eg. Laptop, projector etc.

Access to the museum can also be arranged with prior arrangement.’

After exchanging emails with Jane Ellis, Senior Accommodation Officer, I made an appointment and a room has been booked during the summer for me to put on the proposed exhibition.

Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design Research & development

Research:

In order to successfully display the theory behind the design of the Underground I looked at the DIA's principles and Picks personal design philosophies. I also looked at examples of modernist work in order to apply Picks beliefs to my own designs.

I visited the London Transport museum as I thought this would be a good source of inspiration in terms of exhibiting work, and also attended an exhibition showcasing the London Undergrounds collection of posters to get ideas for my own proposed exhibition.

For potential visuals for my designs I visited various Underground stations to capture signage, station tiling, architecture etc.

Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design Design manifesto

The Design and Industries Association (The DIA) with Frank Pick being a key member, set out to reconcile the ideas of Ruskin and Morris to the machine age by integrating art with industry, commerce and education. The DIA principles: 'It is necessary first to convince the public that art is an integral part of life, and not a mere ornamental excrescence upon its surface, and secondly to remind artists their own responsibilities to the public. The artist must be disabused of the notion that great works of art are produced by the aesthetic emotion alone.

This has never happened in the past, and it is not likely to happen now...The best are of our day is certainly what used to be called 'applied' art.'

design for everyday life. the DIA believes

That fitness for purpose is at the root of enduring beauty;

that the city which we build must be fit for trade, for government, for traffic, for social intercourse;

02_second that soundness in workmanship and materials will compel beauty out of a craftsmen, that a city of good bricks or good stone well laid and well dressed will be a shell which will attract the graces of ornament;

04_fourth

that the material should be respected and should be rightly treated, that the city should choose an architecture of brick or stone or steel and concrete which will announce itself, which will allow of the right handling of the material;

03_third

that ornament shall cost effort and money, and so shall be of value; that a city shall not be covered in cheap ornament, anymore than a person with cheap jewellery; that the ornament shall be employed sparingly to emphasise that which is worth emphasis, and not to set up a competition of building with building which eventually destroys all emphasis and with it all meaning;

05_fifth

that there shall be orderliness and proportion in all things, that the parts of the city shall fit together, that one part shall not conflict with another part.

It is useless to seek for beauty, but if you seek after these principles, we believe beauty will be added onto you, the beauty that is truly yours, and not the beauty that is borrowed or copied from another.

A JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN

This is a design manifesto compiled of theories relating to modernism and William Morris, which also directly relates to the constructing and design of the tube and the impact it can have on society. The three images are Pick and two members of the DIA, as these principles were compiled by the Design and Industries Association.

a journey

through design

Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design Promotional Posters

a journey through design

An exhibition celebrating the history of the London Undergrounds classic design

a journey through design Celebrating the work of Frank Pick, the pioneer of the London Underground design movement. The exhibition will display the ideas and design values of Frank Pick and his aim for a more aesthetic environment for the community.

‘Because art formed the environment and the environment shaped individual character.’

- Frank Pick

Nearest tube stops Kings Cross Euston For information on how to get there visit: journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

The exhibition displays the journey of design throughout the past 150 years of the London Underground. From the design values inspired by William Morris to the most contemporary projects undertaken by ‘Art on the Underground’ this is a journey of a company renowned for its attention to innovative and exciting design that has become an intrinsic feature in Londons backdrop.

The London Undergrounds classic designs The Design and Industries Association (The DIA) with Frank Pick being a key member, set out to reconcile the ideas of Ruskin and Morris to the machine age by integrating art with industry, commerce and education. The DIA principles: 'It is necessary first to convince the public that art is an integral part of life, and not a mere ornamental excrescence upon its surface, and secondly to remind artists their own responsibilities to the public. The artist must be disabused of the notion that great works of art are produced by the aesthetic emotion alone.

This has never happened in the past, and it is not likely to happen now...The best are of our day is certainly what used to be called 'applied' art.'

‘To harmonize right design and manufacturing efficiency, accepting the machine in its proper place, as a device to be guided and controlled, not merely boycotted.’

‘Fitness for purpose is at the root of enduring beauty.’

Frank Pick

Picks environmental determinism and his desire for a new spiritual communality, he felt the transport system could provide a foundation for 'a higher corporate life.'

'I see quite clearly transport, the foundation of success in its realisation...I see quite clearly too that a religion must be another of the foundations...It is a new religion, however, or a fresh blossoming, at any rate, of the old. It is a religion for city dwellers. There are still other foundations which must be laid, if we are to build a habitable city: habitable both for the body and the mind of man. Our most grievous drawback is that we lack the prophetic fervour of John thinking in London.'

‘After all, there is one thing about art which is perhaps one of the reasons why it is a joy for ever, namely, that we can dispute about it endlessly and get a good deal of liveliness from its study.’

The works in this exhibition will display a very successful tradition of service and design and how that design contributed to the overall success of the organisation.

Designs the exhibition covers Harry Beck’s map Charles Holden’s architecture Archive of iconic posters Progress of station design through the years Station tiling The Johnston typeface Contemporary projects in connection with ‘Art on the Underground’

Celebrating the work of Frank Pick, the pioneer of the London Underground design movement. The exhibition will display the ideas and design values of Frank Pick and his aim for a more aesthetic environment for the community.

‘Because art formed the environment and the environment shaped individual character.’

Frank Picks design values The traditionalist yet progressive approach to designing the London Underground, through the influence of modernism and the ‘machine age.’

- Frank Pick

An exhibition celebrating the history of the London Undergrounds classic design

The works in this exhibition will display a very successful tradition of service and design and how that design contributed to the overall success of the organisation.

‘Fitness for purpose must transcend the merely practical and serve a moral and spiritual order as well. There is moral and spiritual fitness to be satisfied.’

‘Fitness for purpose must transcend the merely practical and serve a moral and spiritual order as well. There is moral and spiritual fitness to be satisfied.’

Frank Pick

7 - 21

The exhibition displays the journey of design throughout the past 150 years of the London Underground. From the design values inspired by William Morris to the most contemporary projects undertaken by ‘Art on the Underground’ this is a journey of a company renowned for its attention to innovative and exciting design that has become an intrinsic feature in Londons backdrop.

Nearest tube stops Kings Cross Euston For information on how to get there visit: journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

The Design and Industries Association (The DIA) with Frank Pick being a key member, set out to reconcile the ideas of Ruskin and Morris to the machine age by integrating art with industry, commerce and education. The DIA principles: 'It is necessary first to convince the public that art is an integral part of life, and not a mere ornamental excrescence upon its surface, and secondly to remind artists their own responsibilities to the public.

The artist must be disabused of the notion that great works of art are produced by the aesthetic emotion alone. This has never happened in the past, and it is not likely to happen now...The best are of our day is certainly what used to be called 'applied' art.'

‘To harmonize right design and manufacturing efficiency, accepting the machine in its proper place, as a device to be guided and controlled, not merely boycotted.’

july 2014

Kings Cross

‘Fitness for purpose is at the root of enduring beauty.’

7 - 21 july 2014 Kings Cross

The London Undergrounds classic designs

Daily 10am-6pm

An exhibition celebrating the history of the London Undergrounds classic design

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building

Daily 10am-6pm

For more information visit:

www.ajourneythroughdesign.co.uk

For more information visit:

a journey through design Modernist style promotional posters using an image of Pick as I feel he is not very recognised for the work he did for the Underground. The posters display information about his theory and how they relate to the work on the Underground.

The works in this exhibition will display a very successful tradition of service and design and how that design contributed to the overall success of the organisation.

Celebrating the work of Frank Pick, the pioneer of the London Underground design movement. The exhibition will display the ideas and design values of Frank Pick and his aim for a more aesthetic environment for the community.

‘Because art formed the environment and the environment shaped individual character.’

- Frank Pick

Nearest tube stops Kings Cross Euston For information on how to get there visit: journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

www.ajourneythroughdesign.co.uk

A JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN

a journey through design

A JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN

The exhibition displays the journey of design throughout the past 150 years of the London Underground. From the design values inspired by William Morris to the most contemporary projects undertaken by ‘Art on the Underground’ this is a journey of a company renowned for its attention to innovative and exciting design that has become an intrinsic feature in Londons backdrop.

The London Undergrounds classic designs The Design and Industries Association (The DIA) with Frank Pick being a key member, set out to reconcile the ideas of Ruskin and Morris to the machine age by integrating art with industry, commerce and education. The DIA principles: 'It is necessary first to convince the public that art is an integral part of life, and not a mere ornamental excrescence upon its surface, and secondly to remind artists their own responsibilities to the public. The artist must be disabused of the notion that great works of art are produced by the aesthetic emotion alone.

This has never happened in the past, and it is not likely to happen now...The best are of our day is certainly what used to be called 'applied' art.'

‘To harmonize right design and manufacturing efficiency, accepting the machine in its proper place, as a device to be guided and controlled, not merely boycotted.’

‘Fitness for purpose is at the root of enduring beauty.’

‘Fitness for purpose must transcend the merely practical and serve a moral and spiritual order as well. There is moral and spiritual fitness to be satisfied.’

Frank Pick

7 - 21 july 2014

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building

Kings Cross Daily 10am-6pm

For more information visit:

www.ajourneythroughdesign.co.uk

A JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN

Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design Promotional Posters

‘Fitness for purpose is at the root of enduring beauty.’

‘There can be no art without design, which is thought.’ a journey through design

7 - 21 july 2014

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building

Kings Cross Daily 10am-6pm

Nearest tube stops Kings Cross Euston For information on how to get there visit: journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

Celebrating the work of Frank Pick, the pioneer of the London Underground design movement. The exhibition will display the ideas and design values of Frank Pick and his aim for a more aesthetic environment for the community.

‘Because art formed the environment and the environment shaped individual character.’

7 - 21 july 2014

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building

Kings Cross Daily 10am-6pm

An exhibition celebrating the history of the London Undergrounds classic design

An exhibition celebrating the history of the London Undergrounds classic design The works in this exhibition will display a very successful tradition of service and design and how that design contributed to the overall success of the organisation.

a journey through design

The exhibition displays the journey of design throughout the past 150 years of the London Underground. From the design values inspired by William Morris to the most contemporary projects undertaken by ‘Art on the Underground’ this is a journey of a company renowned for its attention to innovative and exciting design that has become an intrinsic feature in Londons backdrop.

The London Undergrounds classic designs

For more information visit:

www.ajourneythroughdesign.co.uk

- Frank Pick

a journey through design

A JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN

The works in this exhibition will display a very successful tradition of service and design and how that design contributed to the overall success of the organisation.

Nearest tube stops Kings Cross Euston For information on how to get there visit: journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

Celebrating the work of Frank Pick, the pioneer of the London Underground design movement. The exhibition will display the ideas and design values of Frank Pick and his aim for a more aesthetic environment for the community.

‘Because art formed the environment and the environment shaped individual character.’

The exhibition displays the journey of design throughout the past 150 years of the London Underground. From the design values inspired by William Morris to the most contemporary projects undertaken by ‘Art on the Underground’ this is a journey of a company renowned for its attention to innovative and exciting design that has become an intrinsic feature in Londons backdrop.

The London Undergrounds classic designs

For more information visit:

www.ajourneythroughdesign.co.uk

- Frank Pick

A JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN

Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design Web

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a journey

home

about

design principles

catalogue

the DIA

the London Underground

‘There can be no art without design, which is thought.'

through design

-Frank Pick

The works in this exhibition will display a very successful tradition of service and design and how that design contributed to the overall success of the organisation.

Celebrating the work of Frank Pick, the pioneer of the London Underground design movement. The exhibition will display the ideas and design values of Frank Pick and his aim for a more aesthetic environment for the community.

The exhibition displays the journey of design throughout the past 150 years of the London Underground. From the design values inspired by William Morris to the most contemporary projects undertaken by ‘Art on the Underground’ this is a journey of a company renowned for its attention to innovative and exciting design that has become an intrinsic feature in Londons backdrop.

‘Because art formed the environment and the environment shaped individual character.’

- Frank Pick

a journey through design

7 - 21 july 2014

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building Kings Cross Daily 10am-6pm

a journey

through design

Kathryn Brooks COP3//A journey through design Print