London Tube map cover gets fresh redesign

Artist Liam Gillick has created a new design that graces the front cover of London Underground (LU)'s new pocket Tube map.

Gillick, who was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2002, was commissioned by Platform for Art, the art programme for the LU. His design is entitled 'The Day Before' (You Know What They'll Call It? They'll Call it the Tube) is written in 12 different sets of colourful letters to symbolize the 12 lines which make up the Tube network. The design shows the words of the date of the last day in London without London's famous Underground network: Friday 9 January 1863. London Underground commenced services the following day on 10 January 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon.

Gillick was shortlisted in 2002 for the Turner prize in recognition of his solo exhibition 'The Wood Way' at the

Whitechapel Art Gallery and for his outdoor installation 'Annlee You Proposes' at Tate Britain. In 2003, he received a joint

commission from Platform for Art and Frieze Art Fair to create a set of posters that were displayed at Great Portland

Street Tube station. These had strong single colours and text in simple typography.

Previous Pocket Tube map covers have been designed by famous artists such as Yinka Shonibare, Emma Kay and David Shrigley.

The new design which is now available for free from Tube stations, will be the front cover for the pocket Tube map in the

first part of 2007. Each year, London Underground distributes 15 million copies of this map to passengers.

All Tube map covers are available as large format posters from the London Transport Museum shop or by contacting

Platform for Art directly.