A Tale of Two Maps: Analysis of the London Underground “Diagram”

An analytical approach to the problem of information organization, with special emphasis on diagrammatic design, is presented in this article. Three levels are involved in this approach, as follows: (a) abstraction of data into representational elements, (b) integration of these elements to create coherent structures of information, and (c) configuration of such coherent structures, through underlying order, into a whole. The abstract map (the “Diagram”) of the London underground is analyzed, in order to illustrate this approach, and the design techniques observed are brought to the fore. Several principles that can be encapsulated as constraints for an algorithmic approach to diagram generation are offered in the article's conclusion.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1177/1064804613489125
• Record URL:
  http://erg.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/21/3/7
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10648046
• Authors:
  • Degani, Asaf
• Publication Date: 2013-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References;
• Pagination: pp 7-16
• Serial:
  • Ergonomics in Design: The Quarterly of Human Factors Applications
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
  • ISSN: 1064-8046
  • Serial URL: http://erg.sagepub.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algorithms; Case studies; Design; Diagrams; Information, data, and knowledge; Maps; Rail transit
• Identifier Terms: London Underground
• Geographic Terms: Greater London
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01491634
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 15 2013 11:49AM