Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) Visual Information System

These two sheets are from Josef Müller-Brockmann’s design manual for the Swiss Federal Railways. Müller-Brockmann was commissioned to design a new visual information system for the SBB in 1978 as they began their policy of expansion, and he did so in the Swiss (International) Typographic Style, using a simple grid and the Helvetica typeface (Janser, eguide.ch). 

This visual information system embodies the heart of the Swiss Style in its simple clarity, adaptability, and intuitive design. All of these elements contribute to its functionality as a visual system for public transit, something that will be seen and used by countless people everyday. 

The design also carries a great sense of national identity,  with its logo, designed by Hans Hartmann and revised by  Müller-Brockmann, being comprised of a Swiss cross on a red background that has had arrows added to the sides to make it into a traffic symbol (Janser, eguide.ch). 

In addition to signage of place names, the system also included “pictograms, direction arrows, track numbers, and departure display panels, as well as local poster timetables and the comprehensive route guide for private use” (Janser, eguide.ch). 

The design of this visual system has been widely acclaimed as timeless, and has a consistent, cohesive style that continues to have an impact on the world of design today.