Celebrating a Great: Margaret Calvert: Pioneering Designer of Britain's Road Signage

Margaret Calvert OBE RDI is a distinguished British designer and typographer, renowned for her transformative work in designing the United Kingdom's road signage system. Born in South Africa in 1936, Calvert moved to England at the age of 13 to pursue her education. She studied Illustration and Printmaking at Chelsea College of Art, where she met Jock Kinneir, a visiting tutor who would become her long-term collaborator.

In the late 1950s, Calvert and Kinneir embarked on the ambitious project of developing a cohesive road signage system for the UK's expanding motorway network. Their collaboration led to the creation of clear, easily recognizable signs that significantly improved road safety and navigation. This system was later extended to all-purpose roads in 1965, solidifying their impact on Britain's infrastructure.

Beyond road signs, Calvert's design expertise extended to creating typefaces such as 'Calvert' for the Tyne and Wear Metro and 'Rail Alphabet 2' for Network Rail, further enhancing the UK's public transportation systems. Her commitment to design education is evident through her tenure at the Royal College of Art, where she taught part-time from 1966 and served as Head of Graphic Design from 1987 to 1991.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions to design and education, Calvert was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016. She was also honored with the Royal Designer for Industry title in 2011. Her legacy continues to influence designers and the public alike, with her work remaining integral to daily life in the UK.

When I was doing my Masters at the Royal College of Art Margaret was one of my tutors. Sharp, witty and creative are my strongest memories.

To find out more: https://creativehalloffame.org/inductees/margaret-calvert-tdc-medalist/

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