Practical Information Architecture on the English Model

Jayson Jarmon
President, The Lux Group, Inc.

When one needs to move millions of workers each day through a complex system of underground tunnels and train stations, information management, signage, and practical design are essential to prevent chaos and confusion. The well-known map of the London Underground transport system is an iconic touch point in brilliant, usable design. Regardless of language, level of experience, or familiarity with public transport, millions upon millions of users of the London underground can instantly understand and follow the maps, getting where they need to go even if they are relatively unfamiliar with the city and outlying suburbs.

When Microsoft asked Lux to design a poster for the Office System Developer's Conference 2008...one that had 7 different tracks variously intersecting 82 different course modules, well we borrowed an old time-honored model from the London Underground:


Microsoft Office System Developer's Conference 2008 Tube Map

An Honest-to-Goodness Waterloo Sunset

Jayson Jarmon
President, The Lux Group, Inc.

Not Your Great, Great, Great-Grandfather's London

Jayson Jarmon
President, The Lux Group, Inc.

While visiting old friends at Think London (London’s official foreign direct investment agency), we had an opportunity to talk about the Capital’s economic growth and prospects, the rapidly approaching 2012 Olympic games, and the transformation of London itself as it progresses further into the 21st Century.

Think London has updated its HQ since we last met and have moved into London’s Canary Wharf area. To those who don’t know London, it’s a vast organic place with few buildings over 10 stories—the city grew over the centuries along ancient roads and byways. Canary Wharf, built east of the city in abandoned docklands in the late nineties, seems more like an American city with enormous skyscrapers and even a grid-based street system.



A Canary Wharf Skyscraper

Think London has a beautiful view up the Thames to the west, and you can see the cataracts of the river all the way to Westminster.

Here we see Lux Creative Director Ben Thompson enjoying the view:


Who let this guy in?

I Sing the Body Electric

Jayson Jarmon
President, The Lux Group, Inc.

Elsewhere on this blog I have made the case that “everything that can be digital, will digital”—perhaps this is even true of automobiles (well, if not digital, then electric at least). In the US, we pat ourselves on our backs over our hybrids and think we’re all that. In London tonight I saw some real thought leadership. Across from the Lyceum Theater near the Waterloo Bridge, I saw my first electric car at an “electrobay recharging site.” What appears at first to be a parking meter, is actually a plug and extension cord for recharging electric vehicles.



Hybrid? Schymbrid!


Clean, precise, efficient work with a nod to futurism in that little green light. Sounds like the essence of London design to me.