The new design is inspired by a 1972 work by Italian designer Massimo Vignelli, and adopts a diagrammatic style that simplifies complex urban geography and presents it in straight lines. Each line is clearly color-coded, and station names are displayed in black dots on a white background in an easy-to-read font for readability. The MTA says the design is inclusive and accessible, making it easier for people with visual or cognitive impairments to use.
The key to this overhaul is the improved transfer area signage, which reduces confusion for users by more intuitively indicating the structure of moving between different platforms, tunnels, or across streets. “We applied different signage to each transfer hub to make it easier to recognize,” explained Design Director Stephen Flam.
The MTA said the map was “a decision based on a preference for clear information over precise geographic representation,” and retained some of the color scheme and basic layout for those familiar with the Michael Hertz version. The map was developed in-house by the MTA’s design team, and overall production costs were “in the four-figure range,” which also helped reduce the budget.
