Legible London, a prototype wayfinding system to make London a world-class walking city, has won Gold in the ‘Design for Society’ category of the Design Effectiveness Awards. The prize is shared by designers Applied Information Group (AIG), their client Transport for London (TfL) and partners Westminster City Council, New West End Company and the Greater London Authority (GLA).
The prototype in London’s West End tested a high visibility mapping system that promotes walking as a viable alternative for many journeys. The system is comprised of street signs, information at bus stops and tube arrival points, and a printed map.
Research undertaken before and after the installation of the prototype around London’s busy Oxford Street and Bond Street indicated that Londoners and visitors welcomed the scheme. 85% said the system was easy to use, almost two thirds said it would encourage them to walk more, and nine out of ten approved of plans to roll out the scheme across the capital. The evaluation was the most comprehensive that has ever been undertaken of a scheme of this kind in the world.
AIG developed the idea for Legible London as part of a Central London Partnership project funded by TfL. The original study identified the considerable benefits of walking in the capital: healthier individuals, greater footfall for retail and leisure, environmental benefits, safety for the community and the alleviation of pressure on other transport systems. AIG and their product design partners Lacock Gullam was subsequently appointed to create a prototype wayfinding system.
Talking about the project, Tim Fendley of AIG and lead designer for Legible London said, “Wayfinding in London is a complex problem of human habit, contradictory information design, varied stakeholder agendas and a constantly evolving map – physical, economic and social. Responding to this challenge has pushed the boundaries of information design and resulted in innovative solutions and groundbreaking ideas. We could not have got to this critical point without the extraordinary support, vision and commitment to quality of Transport for London”.
Member of the Design Effectiveness Awards jury Conrad Bird, Head of Strategic Campaigns, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, described the scheme as “a thoughtful, well researched example of how design can influence and drive genuine citizen behaviour to the benefit of society, self and business”.
Ben Plowden, Director of Smarter Travel at Transport for London said, “Walking is a convenient, healthy and quick way to get around, but London can often be a challenging city to navigate on foot. TfL and its partners have developed Legible London to address that, by creating a reliable way-finding system that makes it easier to walk in and around London. Its clear and easy-to-read mapping will tell people which roads to take, what landmarks they’ll pass along the way and how long it will take them to get where they want to go”.
The Greater London Authority, The City of Westminster and The New West End Company have been actively involved in the initial prototypes. Project website: www.legiblelondon.info
Martin Low, Director of Transport at Westminster City Council comments that, “This project demonstrates what you can achieve when you tackle difficult targets with a clear vision and real determination. GLA, TfL, Westminster City Council and New West End Company showed what real partnership can do and our designers, AIG & Lacock Gullam; sign makers, Woodhouse; and provider, West One, are to be congratulated on a great outcome”.