Project to reprint the National Bus Company’s classic 1972-76 Corporate Identity Manual. Modernism heading up your street.
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Out now: @modernistmag 44 with a piece on graphic designer Norman Wilson. His pioneering Manchester practice brought striking modernist graphics to industial Britain, famously the once-ubiquitous corporate identity for the National Bus Company. More here: nationalbusmanual.com/2022/0…
National Bus Manual retweeted
It's that time of year again, leaves on the line... 🍂🙄
Well, we're here to tell you: It's Not Just A Leaf!
It's millions of leaves falling onto the tracks which, when crushed under passing trains, can turn into slippery mulch - the black ice of the railway.
But don't worry, we're ready for autumn! Teams across Northern, @TPExpressTrains, @networkrail and wider industry are working together to tackle leaf fall, reduce disruption and keep you moving safely.
The NBC symbol was used fairly inconsistently on roadsigns.
Here’s an example from King’s Lynn, showing the NBC & BR symbols doing their jobs, efficiently conveying the information you need and nothing else. Do share any photos you have of the NBC symbol in the wild.
Logo Histories: Norman Wilson’s 1972 National Bus Company symbol, an N and its shadow, forming an arrow. Together, we’re really going places.
Logo Histories: Norman Wilson’s 1972 National Bus Company symbol, an N and its shadow, forming an arrow. Together, we’re really going places.
National Bus Manual retweeted
Bumped into some familiar faces at London Waterloo today #NetworkSouthEast 40 years
National Bus Manual retweeted
Some classic typefaces present a challenge to designers.
Here’s @klimtypefoundry Klim’s new interpretation of Akzidenz Grotesk (Söhne) and my own (FF Real) from a few years ago. Same but different.
It takes a thousand tiny details to make one good impression, as Cary Grant said. In this case, ahead of publication, that means removing decades of sellotape marks and garage oil from several beautiful NBC corporate identity posters.
Feel free to guess which one this is!
National Bus Manual retweeted
Did enjoy seeing this Midland General Leyland National at the Heritage Bus Rally at Quorn and Woodhouse station on Saturday.
415 - XRB 415L wears the mid-blue version of NBC livery.
@BusManual
Fantastic to meet Helen Clifford this evening a the @WminBusandCoach reception at the @ltmuseum at the unveiling of her blue plaque by @TfL chief operating officer Claire Mann. Helen was the first woman to qualify as a London Transport bus mechanic in 1984.
It seems the website and blog went down earlier but is now back up and running again. We’re planning to publish the book in the coming months, so we’ll be less dependent on digital technology!
These photos are from NBC’s 1975 advert for Norwich Union, filmed at Norwich Airport.
Read more on the blog - ‘Imposters in poppy red and leaf green’—> nationalbusmanual.com/2021/0…
National Bus Manual retweeted
It is shameful that a major world capital city like London that has a pretty comprehensive bus network doesn’t have (even online) a map of that system!
You’ll have spotted that there’s less on the blog while I focus on the book, which will include the re-issued manual, and a few surprises. Thanks to everyone who’s helped. Looking forward to sharing progress with you all soon.
National Bus Manual retweeted
Another fab issue of this gorgeous, informative, entertaining, beautiful, engaging, lovingly designed and produced, top quality, stunningly illustrated, can’t-live-without magazine. Out now classicbusmag.co.uk
National Bus Manual retweeted
1977 convertible open-top ECW-bodied Bristol VRT VDV 138S 'Warspite' is seen at the Strand in Torquay in 1981. From 1987, under Devon General Ltd. ownership, it ran with the name 'Illustrious'. 938 is preserved, and its current owner is renovating it.
Picture credit: Paul Jenkins
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus bawb, a diolch i holl gyn-weithwyr NBC yng Nghymru sydd wedi cefnogi’r prosiect hwn.
Happy St David’s Day everyone, and thanks to all the NBC employees in Wales who have supported this project.
#NationalBusCompany #cymrucenhedlaethol #southwales #crosville
More detective work for you! Who has a copy of the A4-sized 1972 NBC Corporate Identity Manual? Here’s Page 14. But all copies seem to be missing Pages 15 & 16. Were they ever issued?
If you’ve seen them let us know!
#NationalBusCompany #NormanWilsonDesigner #WilsonNational
The NBC identity was rigorously enforced on vehicles, but less coherent in publicity. On this timetable cover from 1972, Associated Motorways is being rebranded as part of the National network. The Manual later tightened up things like the position of the symbol & text.
