Legible London Wayfinding

Transport for London & Partners

The Legible London pedestrian wayfinding system was developed with Transport for London (TfL) and London boroughs to provide a connected and consistent system across London. AIG and Lacock Gullam started work with TfL in 2004 to initiate and develop the programme.

With the support of Westminster City Council and The New West End Company Lacock Gullam designed the Legible London West End Prototype that was launched on 27 November 2007 with the unveiling of a number of signs in the Bond Street area of Westminster.

Following the success of the prototype Lacock Gullam were appointed as industrial designers to undertake, with AIG and TfL, development of the scheme’s system architecture and guidelines and  to value engineering the sign products ready for higher volume production and roll out across London.

In addition to engineering a stainless steel extrusion that acts as an exoskeleton for the structures, developing a dry seal system for the fitting of the panels and refining the detail of the overall product, an innovative foundation detail was further developed to accelerate implementation, minimise disruption and support efficient repairs and maintenance.

Following the successful piloting of the system in three areas in 2009;  the system continues to be implemented across London Boroughs with over 1300 signs installed.

The Legible London product has also been used for a number of other TfL schemes including Cycle Superhighways and has influenced the design of the Cycle Hire totem. The pedestrian mapping element has been further expanded by TfL and is now provided in many bus shelters and other transport nodes.

The project has won multiple awards including an Honor Award in the Society for Environmental Graphic Design 2010 Design Awards, a commendation from the 2009 Sign Design Society Awards for Product innovation and ideas and in 2008 Legible London won Gold at the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards.