Having lived in the North East for 9 years, including during the upgrades to the City Centre stations, I was just incredibly impressed with the look of the Metro, including the use of Calvert. It would have been easy to have 'played safe', and used either Transport Standard or part of the Johnston/Gill Sans family (to piggyback on the success of London), but the use of Calvert was consistent with their desire to be different, to be distinctive, and they should be applauded for that. Looking at the signage now, I actually think the black base looks better (though I have no issue with using colours, especially when used with pictograms) - it portrays confidence, consistency, by being almost understated - the region owes them a massive debt of gratitude.
Really insightful video. I knew that the typeface was created by Margaret Calvert, but I had no idea that it was originally created for an entirely different use which ended up getting scrapped and repurposed in this way. As you suggested at the end, France's loss is Metro's gain.
That would be a massive undertaking, but would certainly look smart. I hope they keep at least one of the stations in its original form - but I think Jesmond is the best candidate for that
Going to go out on a limb here but I don't think it's as good a typeface for signage as the usual sans serif used on BR. The capital M is particularly odd IMO - it's great on it's own as a logo for the metro, especially on the original yellow totems but I think it's a bit too much of an eye jammer when it's got other letters coming after it - like the giant station names at Manors and Monument. They could have used the capital M as the metro logo without going the whole hog and using it everywhere and I'd have preferred it. Anyway interesting story.
Ooh that's an interesting take. I've personally never had any issues with legibility (and obviously, having made a gushing 9-minute video here I can't exactly claim to be impartial) - do you get the same effect on smaller applications like the map for example? Thanks!
@@edificity I'm not really a typeface nut but I'm aware of an unwritten rule that sans serif is used for big letters on signs, where you're taking in small amounts of information without really having to think about it... when you've got a map in front of you I think you're prepared to need to do a bit of thinking so maybe it's not so bad. The exit sign at 5:12 for example just looks a bit 'wrong' IMO - it's not like I think it'd be a problem in an emergency but it's also a bit weird. Like you say the font has serifs coming off it in some unusual directions, - it's not unreadable but it's less that maximum legibility.
This very minor thing has played on my mind for a bit and I think it might be that the station name signs on the platforms have the letters too close together. e.g. the ull in cullercoates looks pretty cramped up to me - the letter spacing on your video's thumbnail seems wider and therefore more legible. FWIW I'm going off station photos on the internet
Having lived in the North East for 9 years, including during the upgrades to the City Centre stations, I was just incredibly impressed with the look of the Metro, including the use of Calvert. It would have been easy to have 'played safe', and used either Transport Standard or part of the Johnston/Gill Sans family (to piggyback on the success of London), but the use of Calvert was consistent with their desire to be different, to be distinctive, and they should be applauded for that.
Looking at the signage now, I actually think the black base looks better (though I have no issue with using colours, especially when used with pictograms) - it portrays confidence, consistency, by being almost understated - the region owes them a massive debt of gratitude.
Love Margaret, she is literally a legend
Really insightful video. I knew that the typeface was created by Margaret Calvert, but I had no idea that it was originally created for an entirely different use which ended up getting scrapped and repurposed in this way. As you suggested at the end, France's loss is Metro's gain.
Great video as always!
Are there any other transport systems using slab serif typefaces so systematically?
I'm certainly not aware of any others - it's a bold choice for sure
Such a great video
So, another typeface enthusiast - or is it just Calvert? Thanks, I enjoyed that.
Thanks! Definitely interested in type/design, especially when paired with transport
They should refurbish Monument same style as Central Station and of course Haymarket
That would be a massive undertaking, but would certainly look smart. I hope they keep at least one of the stations in its original form - but I think Jesmond is the best candidate for that
Going to go out on a limb here but I don't think it's as good a typeface for signage as the usual sans serif used on BR. The capital M is particularly odd IMO - it's great on it's own as a logo for the metro, especially on the original yellow totems but I think it's a bit too much of an eye jammer when it's got other letters coming after it - like the giant station names at Manors and Monument. They could have used the capital M as the metro logo without going the whole hog and using it everywhere and I'd have preferred it.
Anyway interesting story.
Ooh that's an interesting take. I've personally never had any issues with legibility (and obviously, having made a gushing 9-minute video here I can't exactly claim to be impartial) - do you get the same effect on smaller applications like the map for example? Thanks!
@@edificity I'm not really a typeface nut but I'm aware of an unwritten rule that sans serif is used for big letters on signs, where you're taking in small amounts of information without really having to think about it... when you've got a map in front of you I think you're prepared to need to do a bit of thinking so maybe it's not so bad.
The exit sign at 5:12 for example just looks a bit 'wrong' IMO - it's not like I think it'd be a problem in an emergency but it's also a bit weird. Like you say the font has serifs coming off it in some unusual directions, - it's not unreadable but it's less that maximum legibility.
This very minor thing has played on my mind for a bit and I think it might be that the station name signs on the platforms have the letters too close together. e.g. the ull in cullercoates looks pretty cramped up to me - the letter spacing on your video's thumbnail seems wider and therefore more legible.
FWIW I'm going off station photos on the internet