Following in the footsteps of Harry Beck, designer of the iconic London Tube map, digital map designers Communicarta have revolutionised navigating the world’s longest metro network by creating a mobile phone application.

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Press release 22 July 2010

Lost in Shanghai?

Not anymore, thanks to British design expertise!

——–

South East firm puts the “app” into transport mapping

British design success in China is not limited to our brilliant architects, such as Norman Foster, with his Bird Nest design for the Beijing Olympics stadium, or Thomas Heatherwick and his award-winning UK pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010.

In the digital map design field, Communicarta Ltd, with operations in High Wycombe and Southampton, is building a world-leading international business, and Shanghai is the latest success for its precision digital transport map technology. This small company’s cutting-edge digital mapping applications are making a global impact with support from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

The company has teamed up with China’s oldest (113 years old) and most prestigious publishing house, The Commercial Press (CP), Beijing, to produce mobile applications (apps) for the Shanghai metro.

The digital publishing partnership with CP was formally announced at a press conference in Beijing at CP’s headquarters on 12 July.

“We have completely re-designed the Shanghai metro map,” said Robin Woods, Communicarta’s CEO. “Our philosophy is about presenting our maps in a way that is clear and easy to follow. And now, with Communicarta’s Shanghai Metro apps available on iTunes, Nokia Ovistore and Blackberry Appworld, guests to Shanghai are in for a real treat. This is instant and effortless journey planning on a brand new level!”

Over 20 years of research by Communicarta Ltd found that many of the official maps of transport systems in major cities are either inaccurate, out of date or difficult to use. Now, with export trade advice from UKTI South East, the firm is building an international business with its dependable and precise customised city transport maps and apps.

Until last year, printed maps were the firm’s staple. The move into digital apps followed an approach in March 2009 from Nintendo for an app for its DSi device. Collaboration with Nintendo’s technical developers in Kyoto, Japan, resulted in the creation and licensing of nine city transport map apps to the video/computer games giant.

Speaking of the CP hook-up, Robin said: “The future is really exciting for our business in China. We plan to develop digital maps for Beijing, Hong Kong and many other cities, in collaboration with CP. We are also looking to use our developing expertise to help CP create many interesting and educational apps in the future.”

Four years ago, in order to be better prepared to explore the Chinese market, the company signed up to UKTI’s Passport to Export programme of advice and assistance for new exporters, working with International Trade Adviser and China specialist Chris Lowsley.

“Without UKTI, I doubt we would have achieved so much. Apart from the welcome financial assistance and logistical support, it has been invaluable to have access, in Chris, to a specialist who keeps abreast of market developments in China, and to all the practical support and knowledge that this translates into for us,” Robin said.

Chris said: “Communicarta’s Shanghai Metro application is very innovative and shows that, with the right preparation and support, a small British company can do well in China through collaborating with the big dynamic players.”

Communicarta’s CEO Robin Woods delivered a thought provoking presentation on “Improving Customer Information”, which was well received by the audience (video to follow soon)

We would like express our gratitude to Mr. Henry Tan of HNZ Industry Media, Shanghai, for his very warm welcome and the great Chinese hospitality shown to us throughout the 3 days Summit.

If you love architecture and all its different styles , then there is plenty to feast the eyes and the metro and suburban rail will take you to the places where you can see the examples, and more, in our gallery .

As you know, we do all our own ground research and for this reason, you can be sure of getting to the place you want to go to .

The Communicarta Style 45 Washington map features all the metro lines in a clear and easy to use lay out but not only  that , it also features the bus routes to the two international airports of Dulles and Baltimore - BWI - making it synch to get to the city centre.

We hope you enjoy Washington as much as we do every time we go.

We wanted to make available this very useful application to as many guests as possible, hence, we have created applications not just for the iPhone but also Nokia and Blackberry devices.
The Blackberry application will be available from the Blackberry Appworld very shortly.

Interestingly, the D route is still the same, although slightly changed in its running order. You can still use these cute little buses to visit some of the very interesting parts of Florence. They operate exclusively in the very  narrow old streets, where the larger buses just cannot travel.

Our map is featured in a number of books , most notably the AA’s Key Guide, City Pack and City Map titles as well as the Thomas Cook City Spot guide.

We’ve leave you with some of our hand picked photos for your enjoyment !