Margaret Calvert has visited Newcastle for the first time to see the results of her work in the late 1970s to design a typeface for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Margaret travelled up from her London home on Tuesday 26th March to view her iconic Metro logo and Calvert font typeface on the Metro system.
She designed the large yellow Metro “M” cubes outside stations, on trains and throughout signage within, including giant wall graphics on the underground Metro platforms. These became an instantly recognizable symbol of the Metro when it opened for the first time in 1980 and can still be seen across the network today.
On her visit, Margaret took a short journey on the Metro through Newcastle City Centre to see her typeface at stations such as Jesmond, Monument, Haymarket and Central. She also visited the Nexus Learning Centre in South Shields to see her logo now adorning the new trains due to enter service this year.
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director of Nexus, said: “It was a huge honour to welcome Margaret Calvert on the Tyne and Wear Metro to see her design work at first hand, on our stations in Newcastle, and on our amazing new trains.
“This is the woman who created Metro’s iconic typeface, which is at the very core of the brand. The Metro logo has become one of our region’s most iconic symbols and that was all thanks to Margaret’s work for us in the late the 1970s.
“The visit was her first ever chance to see her designs on our underground stations through the centre of Newcastle, which I know was a particular thrill for her. More than 40 years after she created that familiar Metro logo she got the chance to see how her work has shaped Metro.
“It’s a design which has stood the test of time. Margaret’s work for Metro, both the font and the way it is used throughout the system, will be with us for many years to come.”
The same lady who (with colleagues) designed the standard British road signs.