Vila Real Urban Buses
Creating a fresh visual approach for Espiritos Santos, a public transport operator in Vila Nova de Gaia
May 2024
Proposal
The municipality offers two types of public transportation: urban and suburban. There are a total of 25 bus routes provided by Vila Real Urb. You can find the maps of its routes on its website . I have decided to redesign their current official map of urban buses, which looks like this:
As evident, this map comprises three separate sections, each depicting different bus services: routes operating from Monday to Saturday, Sunday buses, and Night buses. Integrating these maps into one cohesive design would enhance user experience. With an integrated map, passengers can gain a clearer understanding of route coverage on Sundays and during night hours. Moreover, consolidating all maps would offer a comprehensive representation of the city's geography and bus routes, facilitating easier navigation for commuters.
Regarding the style of the largest map, I have several considerations and points for improvement:
1. Lack of line continuity: The flow of the lines is disrupted at stops such as Câmara Municipal, Av. da Universidade, or Tribunal. The constant breaking of lines makes it difficult to follow their paths.
2. Inconsistent typography: Font sizes vary inconsistently, and the spacing between text and other elements is inconsistent throughout the map. Typography is sometimes rotated 90 degrees, hindering readability.
3. Inconsistent bus stop styles: The rounded forms of bus stops are not uniformly rounded, and their sizes vary significantly. Some rectangles have one side completely rounded, while others do not. The inconsistency in rounding radius and rectangle sizes detracts from the map's clarity.
4. Poor color combination: The colors used are dull and lack visual appeal. The arrangement of colors in clusters is aesthetically weak.
5. Lack of a regular grid: None of the three maps feature a consistent grid, which would aid in organizing the elements more cohesively. A grid would provide balance, openness, and flexibility to accommodate additional information. In the official map, the absence of a grid results in different angles of lines, unbalanced distribution of bus stops, and irregular rounding of angles, among other issues.
Considering all these factors, let's proceed with redesigning the map.
Note: Please be aware that this map is not an official representation, so it should not be solely relied upon for navigation. I do not bear any responsibility if you get lost.
Regarding the style of the largest map, I have several considerations and points for improvement:
1. Lack of line continuity: The flow of the lines is disrupted at stops such as Câmara Municipal, Av. da Universidade, or Tribunal. The constant breaking of lines makes it difficult to follow their paths.
2. Inconsistent typography: Font sizes vary inconsistently, and the spacing between text and other elements is inconsistent throughout the map. Typography is sometimes rotated 90 degrees, hindering readability.
3. Inconsistent bus stop styles: The rounded forms of bus stops are not uniformly rounded, and their sizes vary significantly. Some rectangles have one side completely rounded, while others do not. The inconsistency in rounding radius and rectangle sizes detracts from the map's clarity.
4. Poor color combination: The colors used are dull and lack visual appeal. The arrangement of colors in clusters is aesthetically weak.
5. Lack of a regular grid: None of the three maps feature a consistent grid, which would aid in organizing the elements more cohesively. A grid would provide balance, openness, and flexibility to accommodate additional information. In the official map, the absence of a grid results in different angles of lines, unbalanced distribution of bus stops, and irregular rounding of angles, among other issues.
Considering all these factors, let's proceed with redesigning the map.
Note: Please be aware that this map is not an official representation, so it should not be solely relied upon for navigation. I do not bear any responsibility if you get lost.