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Design

Evolution of the New York Subway Map
New York City has one of the largest and most complex subway systems in the world, and one of the most confusing subway maps. Men's Vogue takes a look at the evolution of the New York map to see where and when it went off track. By Ben Popper

Article: Massimo Vignelli updates his iconic subway map

May 2008

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London Underground Map
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Cartographic Context

New York's subway map is a global anomaly. Most cities — from Paris to Moscow, from Sydney to Seoul — use simplified diagrams as their subway maps. A good example is the London Underground, where lines make only 45 and 90 degree turns and are laid out on a plain white background, allowing for a simple map that famously fits in your pocket. New York's map, with its squirming subway lines and detailed topography, is a dinosaur of design.

(Photo: London Map)

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