auf deutsch by Max Roberts en français


Welcome to my web pages about the history, design and usability of schematic transport maps. Worldwide, these are created to make people’s journey planning easier, but all-too-often design flaws make them unnecessarily difficult to use, London included. I am a psychologist who has researched into human intelligence and inference for over 20 years (my credentials) but my interests are now primarily concerned with schematic mapping (and wayfinding information in general). I design maps, conduct usability studies to test them, and have exhibited my work internationally. I have implemented research on behalf of FWT and Transport for London and can offer a range of design services and evidence-based evaluation methodologies in order to ensure the adoption of a usable, accessible, distinctive map with immediate widespread user-acceptance. Individual commissions are also accepted.

Internet Survey on Schematic Map Design


If you have 15 minutes to spare, why not take part in a survey about your opinions on map design. This is the first-ever large-scale attempt to identify people’s views on this topic, so the more responses the better. This survey is open to everyone, irrespective of where they live, so do take part and spread the word!


April Newsletter


My monthly newsletter includes latest news, a summary of media and internet articles, forthcoming events, and a map of the month. Download the April 2014 newsletter here.

To receive the latest newsletter every month, send an email from the following link. IMPORTANT: Please include a brief greeting in the email so that I can be sure that you are a human being! Subscribe here.

All previous newsletters are available for download, just use the general format www.tubemapcentral.com/newsletters/tmc-newsletter-xx-20xx,, the first newsletter published was November 2013, so type: www.tubemapcentral.com/newsletters/tmc-newsletter-11-2013, and so on.

Concentric Circles Maps



Going Underground blog by Annie Mole
Londonist by Matt Brown
Gothamist by Jen Chung

... and many more ...

For all enquiries, use the following email address: max@tubemapcentral.com. This is checked regularly, daytime, evenings, weekends.






Major Book Still Available

Underground Maps Unravelled, Explorations in Information Design




Print-on-Demand Service

Purchase high quality ink-jet posters of your favourite maps


Exhibitions, Talks and Events

For current and forthcoming dates for your diary, see the current newsletter.
For details of previous exhibitions, and my catalogue of lectures, see below:




And Also






Contact

For all contacts, use the following email address: max@tubemapcentral.com. This forwards emails to an address that is checked regularly.
Last updated 11/04/14. All content on these web pages are © Maxwell J. Roberts, 2005-14. No reproduction without permission.

NOTE: I am not affiliated with Transport for London nor any of its subsidiary companies. If you require information on travel in London, or the latest versions of official maps, you should click here. Many of the images included on these pages are copyright Transport for London (official Underground maps reproduced here for illustrative educational purposes) or myself (experimental designs and original maps designed to demonstrate usability issues).