Signage Typographer Edward Johnston
Going Underground… and beyond.
.
The Edward Johnston Journal: NGS Article
… about this design legend.
.
Nobody had such a lasting effect on the revival of contemporary writing as Edward Johnston.
He paved the way for all lettering artists of the twentieth century.
NGS have created 5 accents of Johnston revival Type.
Here’s some of our recent ‘Johnston’ sign projects.
Edward Johnston’s Underground Legacy Typefaces page.
.
Edward Johnston’s London Underground Typefaces Legacy.
This Font or Typeface is an NGS favourite!
We revere the beautiful raw quality, and the heritage nod it proffers to its main influencer ‘Trajan Capitalis’ lettering style. In fact all of the letter widths and structures closely match Trajan Roman lettering.
And affirmingly he also taught my grandfather at Camberwell School of Art (image below).
Above: Edward Johnston teaching his incredible Trajan inspired letter form structures. Below: The Trajan column plaque in Rome: inspirer for many of Johnston’s letter form structures.
Johnston’s Roman Foundations.
NGS’s Inspired Roman Font.
Edward Johnston, CBE (11 February 1872 – 26 November 1944) was a Scottish craftsman who is regarded as the father of modern calligraphy, in the particular form of the broad edged pen as a writing tool. Edward Johnston’s Underground Legacy Typefaces are now a familiar part of everyday London.
.
He is most famous for designing the sans serif Johnston typeface, used throughout the London Underground system until it was re-designed in the 1980s.
.
He also redesigned the famous London Underground roundel symbol (top of page and below) and many wayfinding signs and posters used throughout the transport system – a prolific, and genius lettering artist.
.
- London Gym Workout Boxing Signs
A gallery page showing off our hard hitting beauty - Apps & Garrett: Residential Lettering Painters
CASE HISTORY: the collaboration of richard apps and NGS ”THE COMMEMORATIVE roman LETTERS OF SIGNWRITER RICHARD APPS” WORKING WITH RICHARD Out of the blue, the late, great London sign-writer, Richard Apps contacted me, by phone, Read more… - Gold Fanlight styles – Most Popular London House numbers.
This gallery shows the main styles clients ‘go-to’ for inspiration. Of course we are able to craft custom lettering for each and every client so think of this as either a destination or a starting Read more… - Inside the world of the Caslon Foundry, Chiswell St.
Article: Traditional sign writing. London, Inside the Home of Traditional London Roman Type. By the Gentle author. 22/23 Chiswell St Chiswell St is a canyon lined with glass and steel buildings leading from Moorgate to Read more… - COOL PAINTED FINISHES BY NGS
Contract: Designers Guild UK – Working in colour 1986-1998. 1986 Above: Tricia Guild CEO of DG UK casting her eye over the selection of salads in the HO staff canteen. My tables and benches were Read more…
