OUGD602 - BBC Documentary - Two Types: The Faces of Britain

BBC Four ran a documentary on the Johnston and Gill Sans typeface and the story of their conception.

It was incredibly interesting to know the history behind the two typefaces and how they were produced on demand for the National Rail. The two are well connected, the Johnston typeface designed by both Edward Johnston and Eric Gill. Gill Sans was then developed by Eric Gill from the Johnston type.

This documentary was an example of the strength of uniformed type in practice and how effective taking into consideration of consistent form when developing type. The typeface has been in use on the London Underground and on British railways for over 100 years. This consistency across way finding in design can be brought into my own practice in any project and bring strength to my work.