Johnston

Like Helvetica, Johnston is in my opinion a neutral typeface. It has similar uses as Helvetica although it is not as widely used.

Above: Johnston. 1.

One of the main uses of Johnston is the London Underground. Tube Maps and signs are all set in Johnston.

Above: Photo taken at Piccadilly Circus in London showing the tube signs-photo taken by Natasha Hale 2009

It appears to be that neutral typefaces are used for areas such a transport so that the content is clearly the most important thing. If a more expressive typeface was used such as Broadway designed by Morris Fuller Benton would the content the become secondary ? Would the reader get a different impression of what is being said? In this case would the tube system offered not appear professional compared to when the signs are set in Johnston?

Why couldn't each station have their signs etc set in a different typeface to express that particular area of the city?

1. Johnston Underground [Online], Available: http://www.identifont.com/samples/p22/JohnstonUnderground.gif