Typeface Poster

Gill Sans, one of the iconic typefaces of the London Underground

Gill Sans is a humanist sans-serif typeface designed by Eric Gill and released in 1928. It was commissioned by Stanley Morison of Monotype Corporation, who sought a contemporary sans–serif typeface that would compete with popular European designs like Futura and Kabel.

Gill’s design reflects his belief in clarity, legibility, and proportionality. He drew inspiration from classical Roman letterforms, blending traditional elements with modern simplicity. Gill Sans was intended to be versatile, and suitable for both display and text settings, and its wide range of weights and styles contributed to its popularity.

Gill Sans holds a particularly notable connection to the London Underground, where its presence became iconic. In the early 20th century, London Transport (formerly Underground Group) sought a cohesive and distinctive branding for its network, including signage, posters, and publications. In 1916, Edward Johnston created a bespoke typeface, Johnston, for the Underground, which became synonymous with its visual identity.

However, by the late 1920s, as the network expanded and modernized, the need for a sans-serif typeface that could complement Johnston arose. This led to the creation of Gill Sans. The typeface quickly became an integral part of the Underground’s visual identity, appearing on station signs, posters, maps, and other printed materials. Its clean lines, legibility, and modern aesthetic perfectly suited the Underground’s branding needs and contributed to the clarity and efficiency of its communication system.