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NYC's absurdist Subway map

Graphic Design

Posted by Mark Sinclair, 25 March 2010, 9:35    Permalink    Comments (34)

New York studio Triboro's Subway map evokes the rigid grid of the city's layout, but also its chaotic nature at the same time: it's printed only in fluorescent red...

Triboro, the studio of David Heasty and Stefanie Weigler, stripped away all of the familiar colour-coded subway routes to create a map – if map is still the right word – that subverts its own function. It's designed to a tight grid, but any legibility is foregone because of the use of one single colour.

"All lines of the map are forced to conform to an underlying grid of 45 and 90 degree angles, yet surprisingly, the landmass contours here are more true-to-life than on the MTA map," Heasty explained to Steven Heller recently. "The fluorescent red colour becomes an unpredictable variable, as legibility can change completely under different lighting conditions. The neon effect can be intense and retina-burning under certain lamps, washed out and unreadable in other environments, or glow otherworldly under black-lights."


 
The map apparently offers "practical and aesthetic improvements to the existing subway map while simultaneously subverting these improvements through the absurd adherence to a single colour. In this way the map reflects the often contradictory experience of New York City, the rigid systems and grids constantly interrupted by the unpredictable realities of a metropolis, the intermingling forces of order and chaos, and the city's visual communications frequent inability to make sense of it all."

The offset lithographic map is printed in a limited edition run of 300 pieces. At 45x58" the poster is the same size as the large MTA Subway maps that are located at entrances to New York Subway stations. 

For more information on the map or to obtain copies, email: hi@triborodesign.com.

More of Tiroboro's work is at triborodesign.com and their Leftovers page. The Subway map can also be purchased from The Future Perfect site.

UPDATE: David at Triboro just emailed us the picture below. Apparently it's what the poster looks when shot using "black lights". No retouching...

 

34 Comments

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rob
2010-03-25 11:31:47

I WANT ONE TOO! FOR MY ROOM!
Andreas Ryalen
2010-03-25 12:49:18

Those are amazing
Steve
2010-03-25 12:50:13

Me too !
Evan
2010-03-25 12:51:27

me too ... i'm thinking it'll be a bit, y'know, pricey.
i am sam
2010-03-25 12:55:55

Link for Triboro not working? Posters are great but not as working legible information, would love one for the studio wall though.
greig Anderson
2010-03-25 12:57:00

@Greig
Thanks, just changed it.
CR Mark Sinclair
2010-03-25 12:59:26

I'm having one of these :-) Best $110 I've ever spent! (geek)
Craig Le Grice
2010-03-25 12:59:32

Already out of stock :( What a tease!
Jim
2010-03-25 13:15:27

I like the style but as a useful public resource it's not so great would rather see a combination of practical and good design rather than one or the other.
I think it will turn into student art and design studio poster rathe than the oringinal intention can see why it's sold out though
SEO Manchester
2010-03-25 13:15:54

now that is really something!!!!!
stu
2010-03-25 13:23:18

Agree with Greg. Stunning as studio wall poster, but not as info system. They'd certainly have stand out tho.
John McDermott
2010-03-25 13:33:02

I like the font. I like the size. I like why its been done. I like how its been done. I don't like the colour. It hurts my brain.
Victoria Archer
2010-03-25 13:34:02

WOW! Love it!!!
What's the font? At first glance it looks like Avant Garde with rounded corners – but I'm pretty sure it isn't – the S is different – definitely not futura either...

I need it on my wall – can't believe they appear to be sold out
Luke Woodhouse
2010-03-25 13:36:44

Looks like Avant Garde to me but with some modifications.

I want one for the studio also!
Rob
2010-03-25 13:54:17

"practical and aesthetic improvements to the existing subway map while simultaneously subverting these improvements through the absurd adherence to a single colour." CRINGE!!
fergal
2010-03-25 14:30:06

@fergal - YEAH!!!

I love it when people spout bollocks. Still love the poster though.
Rob
2010-03-25 14:56:20

i'm with fergal and rob.

If you want to make a beautiful map, just say so. It is beautiful–we would buy it without all the justification.
evan
2010-03-25 15:12:16

Amazing. I will be buying one.
Brandon
2010-03-25 16:13:10

Thanks for all your feedback guys, we'll try to hold off on the bollocks in the future. In case you want to buy copies of the map you can use Pay Pal at this link, best, Triboro

http://www.triborodesign.com/subway_map/
Triboro
2010-03-25 16:19:07

Dude.Dude.dude.Its just the subway map colored in red LoL.! i swear u people are idiots..just gettin lost in all the "Avant Garde" nonsense, u all need 2 get blue collar careers instead of wasting time on this type of culture
SelectivelyExtravagant
2010-03-25 21:30:56

Why couldn't the agency that did the revised London underground map have done something as interesting?
Andy
2010-03-26 12:24:47

Is this still available for purchase?
Matt
2010-03-26 12:32:06

Love it. Want one too !
Alexandra Kumlin
2010-03-26 13:26:38

@Matt

Yes, David at Triboro added a PayPal link to the comments. It's http://www.triborodesign.com/subway_map/
CR Mark Sinclair
2010-03-26 14:12:03

Amazing concept...
anupriykanti
2010-03-26 14:38:51

Should have got David to design the new CR.
John Amy
2010-03-26 16:48:04

I agree/disagree with some of the things that have just been said, but the optical suggestions of the negative space endangers the devious simplicity of the inherent overspecificity.

Hat tip to http://www.pixmaven.com/phrase_generator.html
It seemed appropriate :-)
Sussex Photographer
2010-03-27 15:29:29

@Sussex Photographer

With regard to the issue of content, the optical suggestions of the negative space spatially undermines the eloquence of these pieces.

LOL The best comment,! thanx for the link :D
erealuv
2010-03-29 10:17:54

David at Triboro just emailed a nice shot of the poster taken using "black lights". See above
CR Mark Sinclair
2010-03-29 10:24:56

Started looking these, then heard about the Moscow bombs. Somehow seems a bit less significant now. (Good, though)
Grant
2010-03-29 13:43:09

For those interested they still have copies and they cost $90 + shipping ($10 inside the US /
$35 international).

http://www.triborodesign.com/subway_map/

Bit out of my price range, but still a lovely piece of design
Alexander
2010-03-29 14:49:09

for me the artistic flair is another creative way of brightening up our public spaces, in cities which are so mundane this is a great way of showing creativeness.
Manchester SEO
2010-06-24 08:48:55

That's absolutely beautiful!
asone
2010-12-03 13:51:35

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