London Underground by Design is the first meticulous study of every aspect of that feat, a comprehensive history of one of the world's most celebrated design achievements, and of the visionaries who brought it to life.Beginning in the pioneering Victorian age, Mark Ovenden charts the evolution of architecture, branding, typeface, map design, interior and textile styles, posters, signage and graphic design and how these came together to shape not just the Underground's identity, but the character of London itself. This is the story of celebrated designers - from Frank Pick, the guru who conceptualised the modern Tube's look under the 'design fit for purpose' mantra, to Harry Beck, Tube diagram creator, and from Marion Dorn, one of the twentieth century's leading textile designers, to Edward Johnston, creator of the distinctive font that bears his name, as well as Leslie Green, designer of central London's distinctive ruby-red tiled stations, and the Design Research Unit's head, Misha Black, who in the 1960s rebranded British Railways and created the Victoria line's distinctive style, and Sir Norman Foster, architect of Canary Wharf station.

    In short, he shows what a marvel it is - part of a series of twelve books tied to the twelve lines of the London Underground.In John Lanchester's inimiatable style, he unravels the various mysteries of the Underground and explores its true significance for both London and the wider world. Like, what's the difference between the Underground and the Tube? How do tube drivers get to work to start driving the tubes when the tube lines aren't running? And where can you get your hands on driver-point-of-view videos?

    Written by the children of Kids Company in partnership with Camila Batmanghelidjh, Mind The Child will bring voices to light from the hidden parts of the city, the parts not usually heard from in our media, the parts least served by investment, and by public transport. The stations of the Victoria Line are some of the few on the Underground to weave into the capital's most neglected areas - south and east London - but even they stop abruptly at the relatively central points of Brixton at one end, Walthamstow at the other. Here, the children bring us beyond these arbitrary cut-offs, into the vast stretches of the metropolis they call home. They want us to look at what we don't see. Kids Company supports 17,000 children and young people, many of whom have endured significant childhood maltreatment. The children are assisted through a recovery programme and helped to achieve their full potential. Kids Company is inspired by the children's courage and creativity as well as their ability to forgive those who have harmed them and remain hopeful. Their supporters include Prince Charles, Richard Branson, Stephen Fry and Helen Mirren.

    Over the last century it has come to represent not only London's transport network but also the city itself. Rare for the logo of a large organization, the symbol is often perceived as being 'cool', and its influence has extended into many other fields, including fashion, pop music and counter-culture.This fascinating book charts the history and development of the symbol from the early 20th century to the present day, and explores its use across the company's many activities, as well as its wide-ranging cultural influence. Richly illustrated with poster artworks, photographs and other graphic material from the London Transport Museum archives, the book features numerous inventive uses of the logo, many of them previously unpublished.