LONDON UNDERGROUND

Overview

While studying abroad in London over the summer of 2023, I was amazed by the wayfinding and the transportation system. The London Underground is certainly a marvel both in ease of use and size. While I was there, I attended the London Underground Museum and became enthralled by all of the posters that have been developed over the years. I was particularly captivated by Gregory Brown’s 1933 Kew Gardens Poster. I was so inspired that I knew I had to create a poster that modernized and paid homage to his illustration style. And thus, Kew Gardens 2023, by Jake Woodard, was born!

  • Visit and experience the London Underground

  • Research Successful Underground Posters

  • Study Gregory Brown’s Illustrative Work

  • Modernize Brown’s Style

Design Plot

Click on cover to see the juicy details!*

Kew Gardens Poster

Ninety years later, Gregory Brown’s brilliant work gets a modern refresh. Inspired by his lovely watercolor style, I set out to put my research into practice. While exploring Kew Gardens in London, I knew I wanted to capture the sense of wanderlust I felt while exploring it. By incorporating elements of symbolism into my art, I encourage people to use the London Underground to reach the same mystical place I did when studying abroad.

Color Palette

Original

Inspired by: Kew Gardens, by F Gregory Brown, 1933

  • When studying Brown's work, I discovered his particular art style to be refreshing and magical. It feels like a style you might see in fantasy works like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. I dissected his style layer by layer until I could replicate it in modern drawing programs.

My Design

Kew Gardens Modernized, by Jake Woodard, 2023

  • My idea for this poster came to me in a dream while flying back to the US from my research in London. In the dream, I saw a large tree from Kew Gardens growing roots in the shape of the Underground Roundel, spreading through the underground tunnels. This symbolizes the interconnected nature of London through the Underground and its importance to the city's strength and structure.

Rolled Canvas Souvenir

The London Transport Museum was one of the main highlights of my study abroad trip. I learned so much about the history of the Underground and the thousands of posters they have created over the years. At the end, there was a fantastic gift shop where you could buy poster art and even take home some official underground signage. I wanted to showcase my work in the same way. Presenting the poster as a rolled canvas souvenir pays homage to the London Transport Gift Shop. It also creates a lightweight and easy means of travel with the poster, especially since a lot of tourists will be purchasing this poster.