Design Insights » Kristen

Adapting a New New York City Subway Map?

Kristen — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:41:06 +0000

I’ve always been a map lover and collector but working for a design company that specializes in designing maps I find that I now analyze them to the nth degree.

Because of my love for travel I find transit maps the most interesting and found the book, Transit Maps of the World, to be one of my greatest collections of transit maps out there. It includes New York City’s Subway Map, fourth on the list of most used metro systems in the world, and dates back original designs from 1905. (Speaking of the most used metro systems, it’s a good thing we are not #1 like Tokyo.)

Somehow I missed one of the greatest map releases last year. Massimo Vignelli has updated his original 1972 Map of New York City’s Subway and Men’s Vouge gave away a limited edition of 500. Vignelli thinks the current subway map is loaded with confusing information. Perhaps MTA should consider adapting and replacing the existing map?

See Massimo Vignelli explain his 1972 NYC Subway Map in an outtake from the film Helvetica.

Website Writing 101 for Search Engine Rankings

Kristen — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:42:41 +0000

If you currently have a website or are about to launch one, you should stop and ask yourself how important it is to be found in search engines such as Google or Yahoo. If achieving high rankings is a priority for your business the next question you need to ask is how do you want to be found? By your business name, business field, product speciality, what then? It is important to think about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to help with these rankings.

WHAT IS SEO?

SEO is simply the process that is used to get more visitors to your website via search engines. The design, functionality, content, and links are all carefully considered when making high rankings a priority.

WRITING MAIN CONTENT – SHOULD I HIRE A SEO SPECIALIST OR HIRE MYSELF?

If your budget allows, it is best to hire someone who knows the ins and outs of writing SEO techniques. If your tackling the writing yourself you should take the time to research how you wish to market your company and how you want to be found through search engines.

WHERE DO I START?

You should first work with your website programmer to incorporate information into the back-end programming of every webpage. This information is hidden but holds some of the most important information for SEO.

Title Tag – This should contain the major keywords of the page.

Description Tag – Simply describes what the page is about.

Keyword Tag – Includes words that are relevant and a priority to your business.

Main Content - From here you can work with the above tag findings to write the main content on every page. You should find a way to integrate your keywords into your writing while keeping quality content. Don’t get carried away by fitting in keywords or phrases. Above all your writing should be flow and read naturally.

Other Goodies - Having links and fresh content are also important aspects of SEO.

FINAL STEPS

Once a website is submitted to search engines your rankings should be monitored and your progress tracked so you see what makes your ranking successful.

Are We Blind to Our $ Design?

Kristen — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:30:58 +0000

Everyday we are bombarded by design, some memorable, some forgettable, but have you ever stopped and looked at our currency that flows in and out of our hands everyday? Maybe you noticed in the last couple years one of the most exciting changes, the addition of color. This design change was driven by security reasons and wanting to deter counterfeiters.

Another significant issue addressed in the 2003 redesign were the changes made for those visually impaired. A specific color-shifting ink on each denomination helped to distinguish between each bill. Still with these recent changes little has been done to address issues for the blind. There has been a landmark ruling for the blind this year! In May 2008 a federal appeals court ruled that the U.S. Treasury Department is violating the law by failing to design currency that is distinguishable to the blind. Although this ruling might be overturned, it brought the issue into the public eye and might be seriously considered in the next design.

Perhaps in the new design we look to other nations. Several countries not only think about the blind and security but how they want to be represented culturally through imagery. While addressing all these issues, the Swiss Franc is far ahead of the U.S. with their high tech francs. This is one of the most beautiful currency designs with great detail towards the overall look. The security measures are integrated flawlessly and enhance the design. What I love most about this currency is that it ultimately celebrate the arts by choosing musicians, artists and one of my favorite architects – Le Corbusier. And it even somehow finds space to fit a biography of each in microtext. Look at these francs of perfection.

Signage at its Best

Kristen — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:35:42 +0000

When traveling abroad I often find a new culture to be overwhelming because of language barriers or social norms. This is where good visual communication through signage without any letterforms or words can help introduce and immerse me into the culture. Signs warn me of any potential dangers by displaying traffic laws and showing me what bird or animal to watch for. It also tells me about their creativity and even their sense of humor. Here are some of my favorites. Here are some of my favorites.

In 1974 AIGA and the U.S. Department of Transportation worked together to develop a system of signs to be used in airports, other transportation hubs and at large international events. They organized a committee (including such designers as Massimo Vignelli, the designer of the 1972 subway map and Seymour Chwast) to develop a system of signs that would become the standard for 50 common symbols to address different ages and cultures. These symbols are available online as a free download: http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/symbol-signs

Perhaps over time there will be a universal signage system that we use throughout the world to make traveling overseas a little less intimidating.