One of the first pieces of design that caught my attention while living in San Francisco was a logo locally known as the ‘worm’. Not to be mistaken with NASA’s iconic worm logo, the ‘muni worm’ is The San Francisco Municipal Railway’s primary visual identity.
Designed in the mid-70’s by San Francisco-based design agency, Landor & Associates, the logo sybmolizes the city's unique transportation system. It features the word ‘muni’ designed in a very squiggly fashion with smooth, flowing lines that represent the network's train lines. The logo can be seen on buses, light-rail cars, and signage, serving as a beacon for commuters and tourists alike.
Muni’s ‘worm’ logo | Image Credit: SFMTA
NASA’s ‘worm’ logo | Image Credit: NASA
Over the years, the logo has become synonymous with the city's identity and is perhaps just as iconic as the San Francisco Giant’s ‘SF’ monogram. The Muni logo’s simplicity and it’s 70’s charm make it instantly recognizable and captures the essence of San Francisco's historic and bustling transit network.