Michael Hertz Associates

Michael Hertz Associates (MHA) is a New York City graphic design firm, best known for its 1979 design of the New York City Subway map and the station and subway car signage systems that the map engendered.^[1] The 1979 map, with some modifications, remains in use today. The firm specializes in maps and environmental graphics for mass transit systems.

History

The firm was founded in 1969 by Michael Hertz (1932–2020).^[2] Their body of work also includes many other transit projects in the New York City metropolitan area as well as maps for major transit systems such as Houston, Texas, Washington, D.C., and other smaller transit systems throughout the United States.^{[citation needed]}

The New York City Subway map, which replaced a critically praised but publicly unpopular abstract design by Massimo Vignelli,^[3] was extremely popular because it represented one of the first attempts to combine the design sensibility of an abstract map with the comfortable, recognizable geography of a traditional map. While the cartography slightly resembles the real geography of New York City, it has been carefully and extensively manipulated to improve legibility in congested areas. Much of the design work was done by the fine artist and designer Nobu Siraisi, who worked for MHA during the period this map was under development.^[4]

In addition to its transit system work, MHA has also produced a wide variety of maps and related designs for clients including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the United States Army Center of Military History, the New York City Law Department, and other clients in the business, non-profit and public sectors.^{[citation needed]}

The company has received many transit design awards, including The National Endowment for the Arts' Commendations for Design Excellence. Their work has appeared in a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition and an American Passenger Transport Association manual on excellence in transit system map design.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ Hogarty, Dave (August 3, 2007). "Michael Hertz, Designer of the NYC Subway Map". Gothamist. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
^ Genzlinger, Neil (February 25, 2020). "Michael Hertz — You've Surely Seen His Subway Map — Dies at 87". The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
^ Rawsthorn, Alice (August 5, 2012). "The Subway Map That Rattled New Yorkers". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
^ Haberman, Clyde (December 14, 2009). "No W or Z? Mapmakers, Grab Your Pens". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2018.

External links

"Subway Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
Catalog of NYC subway maps since 1944
1972 NYC subway map by Vignelli
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority map designed by MHA
University of Michigan transit system map designed by MHA

[designer-1] Hogarty, Dave (August 3, 2007). "Michael Hertz, Designer of the NYC Subway Map". Gothamist. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2018.

[2] Genzlinger, Neil (February 25, 2020). "Michael Hertz — You've Surely Seen His Subway Map — Dies at 87". The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2020.

[rattled-3] Rawsthorn, Alice (August 5, 2012). "The Subway Map That Rattled New Yorkers". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2018.

[mapmakers-4] Haberman, Clyde (December 14, 2009). "No W or Z? Mapmakers, Grab Your Pens". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2018.

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