New York is continuing its time in the spotlight here at Transit Maps with this brand new subway map by designer Alex Koplin. Looking for all the world like the love-child of the Vignelli diagram and the current MTA map, this is a seriously impressive piece of work that a lot of thought has clearly gone into. I know from experience how difficult it can be to reinvent something that people are familiar with, and this manages to create its own identity while still paying homage to its sources.

Have we been there? Yes.

What we like: An excellent melding of the disparate styles of the two maps, without looking completely derivative, or like the Kick Map, the other hybrid map that I know of. Seems to have a comprehensive key and service guide, although I can’t really make them out in the preview images on his site. Nice inset for Staten Island.

What we don’t like: I’m not totally sold on the heavy weight of the font used throughout: it seems a little heavy-handed, especially for the borough names. The word “Manhattan” seems crammed into Central Park – a slightly smaller font size would allow the type some space to breathe. The one angle that’s not at a multiple of 45 degrees – the jog of the 1 to the Upper West Side from Columbus Circle – stands out like a sore thumb.

Our rating: A fine homage without looking derivative. Four stars.

Source: H/34 – Alex’s design site (no longer active)