Next stop... your bedroom.

November 11, 2009 10:02 AM

Underground Signsis a company in Brooklyn creating customized NYC subway signs. Other products have horned in on the distinctive look of the MTA's designs, including the map, the train line logos, and the neighborhoods serviced. But this is the first I've seen of the option to create a replica from the NYC underground with one's own name, street, etc. (the site allows you to generate a"Create Your Own" image).

Notwithstanding questionable trademark issues that may arise with NYC's transit authority (others have tussled with the MTA over similar matters), this looks like a great idea for transit enthusiasts and others looking to bring a little of the Big Apple into their own home.

posted by adamms222 (12 comments total)

Very cute, but super expensive.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:22 AM on November 11

I am sure the MTA's lawyers will be back if he doesn't pay up.
posted by R. Mutt at 10:25 AM on November 11

They need to fix the previews. Nothing shows up as two lines, not even the Rector Street example they use.
posted by azarbayejani at 10:41 AM on November 11

If the MTA's lawyers can establish trademark rights in white Helvetica text, with a horizontal line above, on a black background, I will be impressed.
posted by exogenous at 10:41 AM on November 11 [4 favorites has favorites]

I'm not sure your date is going to be thrilled you've got an "Avenue U" sign hanging over your bed. Although I guess it's better than "Grand Central".
posted by Horace Rumpole at 10:52 AM on November 11

New York Transit Museum Store
posted by Morrigan at 10:56 AM on November 11

The neighborhood shirts are fine, but since they're missing everyone's favorite line, I've added my own design.
posted by Greg Nog at 11:00 AM on November 11 [5 favorites has favorites]

The preview will show two lines if you type on two lines. It does not wrap your text. It just displays as many characters as the selected size allows.
posted by onhazier at 11:05 AM on November 11

Big Funky Deal. The signs are in Generic Helvetica. Anybody can make them. Now, the street signs here in San Luis Obispo, California, are done in Libra, an Uncial variation, offering a blend of Old Mexican and Olde English look guaranteed to confuse (and having readability problems on such odd street names as Dalidio Road). Now there's something to put over your bed, especially Madonna Road...
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:59 PM on November 11 [1 favorite has favorites]

This isn't what I thought it would be, but now I have a great idea.
posted by cmoj at 1:53 PM on November 11

Helvetica came into use gradually; the original NYC MTA typeface, as specified by none other than Massimo Vignelli, was Standard (Akzidenz), as Paul Shaw has exhaustively explained. (We’re excluding for the moment vintage enamel wall signs.)
posted by joeclark at 6:35 AM on November 12

I've seen of the option to create a replica from the NYC underground with one's own name...

Some of us just need screwdrivers and the cover of darkness to do this.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:09 AM on November 13