The Metroboard: A Glittering Glimpse into the Heartbeat of Your City
In the urban jungle, our commutes often resemble a chaotic dance, driven by the unpredictable rhythm of public transportation. For New Yorkers, grappling with the MTA’s notorious inconsistency is a daily ritual. But imagine a way to visualize this urban heartbeat, to witness the ebb and flow of commuters across your city’s arteries, all from the comfort of your own home. Enter the Metroboard, a captivating light-up infrastructure infographic that transforms your commute from a frustrating journey into an artistic experience.
This mesmerizing creation, designed by the Los Angeles-based artist duo Kirill Safin and Emily Perkins, is far more than just a decorative piece. It’s a real-time representation of your city’s subway system, a "truly live organism" as the artists describe it. Each flickering light isn’t just a train, but a symbol of the hundreds of thousands of individuals navigating the city’s transit network, their lives interconnected by the intricate web of lines and stations.
The Metroboard is a Christmas tree of urban infrastructure, a meticulously crafted switchboard that can hang on your wall or grace your desk. It showcases the traditional map layouts of several major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, and the Bay Area. As the day progresses, you’ll witness the lights dimming for the evening lull, only to burst back into a kaleidoscope of twinkling activity during rush hour, mirroring the pulse of the city.
"It was an idea inspired by our cross-country train trip." Perkins told Fast Company, recounting their journey across the U.S., where they experienced the unique character of each city’s subway system. "We wanted to see how the city infrastructure connects with the people, it’s essentially a truly live organism."
The Metroboard itself is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. The walnut frame encloses an all-aluminum face, punctured with precise holes to accommodate the vibrant LEDs. Connecting to your home WiFi, it seamlessly updates its information, providing a dynamic representation of your city’s transit network. The user-friendly interface allows you to customize the experience: choose between vibrant colors or a calming white glow, adjust the brightness to suit your surroundings, and even opt to view only trains at stations or their movements in transit.
While the Metroboard offers a captivating visual spectacle, it’s also a tool for commuters to navigate the complexities of city life. Imagine the thrill of anticipating your train’s arrival with each blinking light, or the relief of knowing there’s no need to frantically refresh your transit app. It provides a unique visual language that helps you understand the rhythm of your city’s transportation infrastructure.
The Design Rules Company, the team behind the Metroboard, is gearing up for its launch in September 2024. Early adopters who reserve their place at just $3 can expect a significant discount of $80 on their purchase. Preorders are currently available for an introductory price of $189, although the retail price after launch will be $229.
The team has ambitious plans for the future, aiming to expand beyond U.S. cities and encompass iconic metro systems like London’s Tube. As a New Yorker, I’d personally love to see a Metroboard rendition of Tokyo’s intricate and incredibly efficient metro system – a testament to meticulous urban planning.
The Metroboard is more than just a stylish addition to your home decor; it’s an invitation to connect with the pulse of your city. It’s a reminder that beneath the surface of bustling urban life lies an intricate network of infrastructure that connects us all. As we navigate the unpredictable rhythms of city life, the Metroboard offers a glimpse into the invisible forces that drive our daily commutes, weaving them into a mesmerizing tapestry of light and movement. It’s a captivating reminder that the urban landscape, though often chaotic, possesses a captivating beauty that awaits discovery.
