Comments on: TTC Metropass redesign

By: Calvin

Calvin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:21:19 +0000

I didn’t realize the new passes looked like such… I stop buying them awhile ago. I almost prefer the older psychedelic colour bands, at least those were cheesy with some… character. I always thought the passes can use a facelift since we are now in the 2000+ not 1950s when the subway started running… even if they just change the type like yours! It’s that easy!
Not just the pass, TTC need a complete re-branding and move with the time.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:03:45 +0000

did you ever submit these to the TTC? they are gorgeous! so much better than what they have. i really think you should try submitting…

i bought my first metropass ever today… i’ve always been able to ride my bike everywhere and TTC it occassionally, but i got a job in north Toronto, so now it’s a bit far to ride… anyway, the thing is effing hideous. i know that i’m paying for the service and not the pass, but jeez. for $109, you’d think they could make it a wee bit more attractive.

By: TTC introduces new counterfit measures — Valentine Makhouleen — interactive art director

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:52:32 +0000

[...] Giambrone, have you been reading my rants about the Metropass design? Hmmm? Please don’t screw this up – there are a lot of talented designers in the city who [...]

By: Greg Perkins

Greg Perkins — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:07:54 +0000

Very nice, I’m glad to see that there are many others who feel that graphic design should be more seriously considered by municipal organizations. The TTC has a responsibility to communicate clearly and quickly, and it wouldn’t hurt them to make their infographics attractive as well.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:10:46 +0000

Try putting 09 where you have the dot. Bonus points if they form a larger image when put together.

By: Nadine

Nadine — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:32:22 +0000

This makes me wish I lived in Toronto even more now.

Mississauga should take a hint from this.

By: BLM

BLM — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:24:00 +0000

why not make Metropasses collectable? Use art/images/poems/archive material of Toronto on them?

By: TTC Metropass strikes gold again! — Portfolio of Valentine Makhouleen — interactive art director in Toronto

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:43:18 +0000

[...] of you have read about my TTC Metropass redesign project and how passionate I am about the awful pass design. Forward to this week. I purchased the February [...]

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:18:21 +0000

I’m so glad to hear that I wasn’t the only person who was mortified by this year’s iterations of the Metropass. I suspect that what has happened is that design elements were added at each stage of planning. That said, I think starting over from scratch once all the elements have been determined — as you’ve done — is far more worthwhile than trying to bring cohesion to a piece that was designed to show far fewer elements. Actually having an eye for good photography certainly doesn’t hurt, either.

By: Valentine

Valentine — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:10:26 +0000

Thanks for the comments!

Dasani, I will try and work some in :)

Allene, I agree. I think Toronto and TTC included need to look to various experts in the field more often – public space designers, geriatric experts – public space needs to be exactly that, public and well-designed for a good daily experience.

Mike, I think there are other methods other than gold lettering – most bus drivers don’t look at the pass in detail. Having an iridescent band, color shifting or 3D pearl overlay, a see-through window or small text that is readable up front is a much better tactic (all are used in currencies around the world). The way the gold lettering looks now can be easily replicated (from my experience in print).

The “pass back” copy can be easily put on the back – the bus driver has the right to remove punks from the bus at any time as it is.