Iconography of The NYC Subway System

The visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these:[1]

The roots of Iconography is from Greek eikonographia sketch, description, from eikōn likeness + graphia writing in the Early 17th century.[2] Iconography is the simple concept of designing symbol of objects and humans.

Now, Icon’s features are increasingly important in the digital era. We use smart phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, which changes the purpose of icons because of the shrinking screens. Apps and corporation logos signify the meaning of contents. Therefore, icons today are symbolic image of digital contents. Analyzing icons displays the interpretation of core insights.

The NYC Subway icons are great example as a successful symbolic image. Massimo Vignelli, Italian graphic designer, reformed the design of subway’s icons applying the grid system and diagram. [3]

His contribution is to enhance our visibility of information. He only used the Helvetica in signs and icons, which improved the usability and functionary of NYC Subway System. Even today, his design is applied as a practical use of icons.

The example below displays how his grid system influences on Icons today. As you can see, arrows and human shapes fit in this typeface “Helvetica.”

The NYC Subway system goes digital day by day. The analog signs are replaced from the full screen monitor and electric scoreboard but his design is still practical in the digital basis. In the end, Iconography is a concept to visualize the clear image of navigation. Vignelli’s design helps people navigate to the next destination, which is a goal of Iconography. I hope icons will be applied from his Iconography in the future.

[1] Oxford Living Dictionaries https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/iconography

[2]Ibid.,

[3] AIGA, “The (Mostly) True Story of Helvetica and the New York City Subway,” http://www.aiga.org/the-mostly-true-story-of-helvetica-and-the-new-york-city-subway