The familiar typeface used across London's transport network is being updated for the digital age, though passengers may struggle to spot the difference. The original font, Johnston Sans, was introduced in 1916 by calligrapher Edward Johnston. Now, a new version called Johnston100 has been created with subtle adjustments to make it fit for 21st-century use.
Transport for London (TfL) says the changes include new symbols such as the hashtag and @ sign, which were not needed a century ago. Extra-thin weights of the typeface have also been developed so that the same lettering can be used on mobile devices as well as in stations. The new font will appear on maps and in stations later this year.
Jon Hunter, head of TfL design, described the update as 'an important step forward' in an age of social media and apps. 'As social media has become more important, hashtags and at signs are more important. Johnston never designed those because they were never needed,' he said.
Monotype, the firm that adapted the lettering, studied old posters to 'maintain the soul of the typeface' and bring back some of its 'idiosyncrasies'. Type director Malou Verlomme noted that letters like the lowercase 'g' had become 'a little bit uniform' over the years.
Edward Johnston's original typeface was considered revolutionary when introduced in 1916. Donna Steel, curator of an exhibition about Johnston at the Ditchling Museum of Arts and Crafts, said: 'Johnston Sans combined readability, beauty, simplicity.' Hunter expressed hope that Johnston100 would 'last for another 100 years and beyond.'
