Designer · Type Designer
It was me doing artwork on the table with a board and a T-square – and in the corner was the Grant enlarger, a machine for scaling type and images.
And the outcome is an accessible piece of design that's made for everyone who uses the railway.
The article explores the new book 'Margaret Calvert: Woman at Work', a comprehensive celebration of the designer’s legacy in shaping British road signage. Written by Adrian Shaughnessy and co-designed with Henrik Kubel and Scott Williams of A2/HK/SW, the publication highlights Calvert’s collaboration with Jock Kinneir and her enduring influence on functional design and typography. It reflects on her process, from hand-drawn artwork to the digitisation of typefaces like New Transport and Rail Alphabet 2.
Design Bridge and Partners has unveiled Rail Clock, the first national railway timepiece in over 50 years, commissioned by Network Rail to mark the railway's 200th anniversary. Created in collaboration with RIBA and the Design Museum, the design reinterprets the iconic double arrow symbol and integrates accessibility and digital adaptability. The clock will appear in stations and digital platforms, symbolising a new era for British rail design.
Creative Boom features Tom May’s new book, *The 50 Greatest Designers: The People Who Have Created Our Environment*, which explores 150 years of design history across disciplines and continents. The book aims to highlight overlooked figures, especially women and non-Western designers, and make design history accessible to a broad audience. Published by Arcturus Publishing, it combines engaging storytelling with rich visuals to inspire designers and readers alike.
BP&O’s feature by Emily Gosling explores Design Bridge and Partners’ rebrand of mortgage lender Precise, which simplifies the brand name and visual identity to reflect clarity and efficiency. The project includes a custom Motorway typeface cut by K-Type, a minimalist vanilla-toned palette, and straightforward photography that challenges the sector’s flashy norms. The result is a confident, pared-back identity that redefines how a financial brand can look and feel.
Creative Boom covers the launch of a crowdfunding campaign for 'Margaret Calvert: Woman at Work', the first book dedicated to the legendary British designer. Edited by Adrian Shaughnessy and designed in collaboration with A2/SW/HK, the project highlights Calvert’s iconic signage work and lesser-known projects. The article explores the book’s origins, Calvert’s meticulous approach, and the importance of celebrating overlooked female designers.
Paul Belford reflects on a 1984 British Rail poster created by Hedger Mitchell Stark/GGK for the Gatwick Express. The article praises the creative reinterpretation of the British Rail double arrow logo and discusses the typographic choices, comparing Optima, Rail Alphabet, and Futura. Belford uses the poster to argue for flexibility in brand guidelines and thoughtful typographic decisions in advertising.