TfL updates Johnston typeface for the digital age

Transport for London announced an update to its iconic Johnston typeface on Tuesday, bringing it into the “digital age” with the launch of Johnston100.

The local government body said that, after 100 years of helping Londoners navigate the capital, the upgraded typeface now included a hashtag (#) and at (@) symbol for the first time.

It said that as its presence expands beyond stations to digital mediums including apps and social media, the updated typeface was necessitated.

Johnston was initially commissioned by Frank Pick - managing director of the then-London Transport - in 1913, and designed by calligrapher Edward Johnston.

It was designed to bring readability and visual simplicity to London’s fledgling transport network - in particular the Underground.

It was revised in the 1970s by Eicchi Kono for the era of computer-based typography, but a number of symbols have never been designed for as they were deemed unnecessary until now.

“Over the past 100 years Frank Pick’s vision and Edward Johnston’s typeface has served London well,” said TfL head of design Jon Hunter.

“TfL is committed to protecting this legacy and over the years we’ve worked closely with designers such as Eicchi Kono and most recently Monotype Type, to make subtle changes to the typeface.”

Hunter said releasing the updated Johnston100 typeface is an important step forward, and it will start appearing across the network later this year in a number of guises.

“We plan to announce the first place it can be seen on the Underground very soon.

“We hope this version of the ‘lettering of London’ for the digital age, will last for another 100 years and beyond,” Hunter added.