Embedded Files
Program: Adobe Illustrator
Discipline: Graphic Design, Semiotics, User Experience
Course: TGJ3M, TGJ4O
Background
Background
Subway diagrams take the most important information from a geographical map and display it in a way that communicates understanding quickly to their users without overwhelming them with irrelevant information. Consider the TTC subway diagram below compared to the TTC system map. A diagram removes irrelevant information to simplify the design and make it easier for a viewer to understand.
The primary purpose of a subway diagram is to help passengers—especially those unfamiliar with the system—to take the correct routes to travel between two points; this may include having to change vehicle or mode in the course of the trip. The diagram uses symbols to illustrate the lines, stations and transfer points, as well as a system of geographic identification. At the same time the diagram must remain simple to allow overview, and be usable by those unfamiliar with the geography of the area. Subway diagrams often get called "maps" but they are not synonymous. A map helps users orient themselves with respect to the distances on the map, proportional to the amount of space in the real world. A diagram will remove unnecessary information to help the user orient themselves with minimal information, usually: where they currently are, and where they want to go.
An animation showing the geographical (real) distances that the Toronto subway covers versus how it is portrayed on diagrams within subway cars. See more examples here.
Diagram
Diagram
(schematic, not to scale, information is withheld)
Map
Map
(topographic, fully to scale, all information visible)
Notable Examples Around the World
Subway diagrams themselves can be considered works of art, combining artistic licenses with scientific and mathematical relationships. However, since these diagrams are still information dense, relative to simpler designs like posters or logos, they are still meant to be viewed in large formats, and can be tough to visualize on smaller screens. Below are links to some of the most influential and well known maps from around the world. Please click through and view them in their original resolutions.
(Mr. Mills' hometown!)
(Mr. Mills' hometown!)
Getting Started
Getting Started
In this assignment, you'll create your own ficitious schematic diagram based on a real world place. You’ll want to start by deciding what your diagram is meant to represent. For example, the map below on the right shows all the locations of the Fire Stations in Winnipeg, Manitoba; and then on the left, that same map has been translated into a simple diagram that represents that information schematically.
You may want to design a simple map of your community in the style of a subway diagram connecting the “dots” of popular destinations like the example above. Or maybe you want design a map that cleanly incorporates all of Toronto’s public libraries. The contents of the map are entirely up to you. This assignment is less about developing a real subway, and more about how you could represent a map of a hypothetical system if it were built, providing only the key information for your hypothetical transit riders. There is no requirement to base your map on an accurate or realistic system.
Here are some more ideas to help you get started:
TDSB schools (primary and secondary, learning centres)
Points of interest around your school or home
Grocery stores or fast food locations that you frequently visit
Parks or public places
Major intersections/streets or highways
Concert halls or cultural institutions, sports venues
Country/province capitals
Your own “fantasy” map of where you think the Toronto subway/transit should go
Something from a video game, TV show or movie (find a to-scale map of this world)
Connect the organs of the digestive system, or cardiovascular systems of the human body!
If you’re basing your map off of real world locations, it can help to plot out all the locations you wish to include on your diagram using Google My Maps. If your map is based off a fictitious setting, you may want to print out a map that someone else has made or sketch one yourself, dotting off all the important locations. Create a new map. Use the search bar to find a location you want to include in your map, click on the pin and then click “Add to Map” to save it to your map. Repeat this process for each location you intend to include. You should have somewhere in between 12 and 40 different pins on your map to be used as stations or “points of interest” in your final product.
Tutorials
Tutorials
Tutorial #1
Tutorial #1
Smooth out unnecessary geography by selecting utilizing angle constraints and simplified lines to communicate the information about your subway
Tutorial #2
Tutorial #2
Develop a simple geometric symbol to inform your viewer of the points of interest on your diagram. Decide how you`ll differentiate this symbol for interchange stations.
Tutorial #3
Tutorial #3
Explore a variety of simple, sans-serif typefaces that will make the information on your diagram easy to interpret by as many people.
Tutorial #4
Tutorial #4
With all of your data present, you`ll want to decide the final layout of your diagram to best optimize the space and information density.
Success Criteria
Success Criteria
Basic Requirements
Basic Requirements
The completed subway map must have at least 12 stations, 3 different "lines", 2 interchange stations, a legend that describes the colours of your lines and symbols.
Colour
Colour
The colour palette is either monochromatic, analogous or complementary, and ensures that text, symbols and shapes can be read from a distance at high contrast
Information Processing
Information Processing
Information is appropriately expressed to readers, unnecessary information is not illustrated, whereas different levels of importance are stressed through the use of different colours, fonts, sizes and placement
Consistency
Consistency
Angles are consistent across all diagonals (15, 30, 45 degrees, etc.), font size is consistent across all station names, stations are equally distributed where needed. Padding and whitespace are consistent across station names, symbols and placement of lines. ½ inch margins are used around the edges of the document
File Submission
File Submission
The final export must be a high resolution PDF. Please upload to the virtual classroom space before the indicated deadline.The submission includes two files (.pdf and .ai) and both are named appropriately according to the following naming convention: First Name - Diagram
Student Exemplars
Student Exemplars
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