The Roundel first appeared on Underground station platforms in 1908 and has become one of London's most iconic symbols.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today nominated the Roundel into the Design Museum permanent collection display. The Roundel has been the logo for the London Underground tube network for over 100 years and will now form part of the free to visit permanent exhibition at the new Design Museum, when it opens in the former Commonwealth Institute on Kensington High Street on 24 November 2016.
Selected for the museum's Crowdsourced Wall, the Roundel will sit amongst 300 objects nominated by the general public as their favourite design pieces. Due to be announced later this month, nominations have so far included furniture, fashion and even food.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘World-leading design and creativity is showcased across the capital on our streets, in our buildings and even on the Tube. One of the most iconic symbols in London is undoubtedly the Roundel. Bold, simple and colourful, it unifies the Tube network and over 100 years since its introduction the classic bar and circle still looks timeless. It is a design that has come to represent a city and, in an age of rapid technological growth, the Roundel proves that there is still a place for printed graphic design. I’m sure the Roundel will be part of London for centuries to come, making it a terrific nominee for the Design Museum’s permanent collection display.’
The Roundel first appeared on Underground station platforms in 1908 and has become one of London's most iconic symbols. Comprising of a solid red circle and blue bar, the Roundel was originally created as a bold yet simple design for the Underground logo which later spread to include station names within the symbol. It was the vision of Frank Pick that led to the creation of the Roundel and the identity for the Tube, combining graphics, architecture and design to unify the entire network.
Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum explains: 'The roundel is an essential part of London’s personality. It’s an effortless piece of design that has become a natural part of the landscape. Even though it has inspired other cities, from Tokyo to Moscow, it’s the symbol that has defined London’s transport decade after decade’
The Roundel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008 and its induction into the Design Museum's collection display will place it within the context of some of the world's most revered designs; a collection that boasts everything from iPhones to street signs and cars to wheelchairs.
The Crowdsourced Wall will form a central part of the permanent free exhibition Designer Maker User and will be the opportunity for the public to pick the designs that they feel have changed their daily lives.
Selected for the museum's Crowdsourced Wall, the Roundel will sit amongst 300 objects nominated by the general public as their favourite design pieces. Due to be announced later this month, nominations have so far included furniture, fashion and even food.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘World-leading design and creativity is showcased across the capital on our streets, in our buildings and even on the Tube. One of the most iconic symbols in London is undoubtedly the Roundel. Bold, simple and colourful, it unifies the Tube network and over 100 years since its introduction the classic bar and circle still looks timeless. It is a design that has come to represent a city and, in an age of rapid technological growth, the Roundel proves that there is still a place for printed graphic design. I’m sure the Roundel will be part of London for centuries to come, making it a terrific nominee for the Design Museum’s permanent collection display.’
The Roundel first appeared on Underground station platforms in 1908 and has become one of London's most iconic symbols. Comprising of a solid red circle and blue bar, the Roundel was originally created as a bold yet simple design for the Underground logo which later spread to include station names within the symbol. It was the vision of Frank Pick that led to the creation of the Roundel and the identity for the Tube, combining graphics, architecture and design to unify the entire network.
Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum explains: 'The roundel is an essential part of London’s personality. It’s an effortless piece of design that has become a natural part of the landscape. Even though it has inspired other cities, from Tokyo to Moscow, it’s the symbol that has defined London’s transport decade after decade’
The Roundel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008 and its induction into the Design Museum's collection display will place it within the context of some of the world's most revered designs; a collection that boasts everything from iPhones to street signs and cars to wheelchairs.
The Crowdsourced Wall will form a central part of the permanent free exhibition Designer Maker User and will be the opportunity for the public to pick the designs that they feel have changed their daily lives.
