New York City's Next Transit Card
The OMNY tap-to-pay system is set to launch by 2023, and will replace the iconic yellow metrocard used since 1994.
Over 1 billion people per year will use the OMNY system.
Working with the Team
I needed to translate and describe Pentagram’s style guidelines in language the (non-designer) team could understand in order to advocate for my design.
I interpreted the feedback from Pentagram’s design team to help guide the MTA in their design decisions.
OMNY Payment Card
NYC Transit card, made with Pentagram and New York's MTA.
My goal was to create a transit card that would be as recognizable and iconic as the current Metrocard, while celebrating the efficiency and convenience of the upcoming tap-and-go payment system, while staying within Pentagram's OMNY brand and style guidelines.
Constraints
I followed functional constraints defined by the MTA as well as style and brand guidelines and constraints from Pentagram.
Observations
The new card was required to have a magnetic stripe on the back, but it wouldn’t work like the current Metrocard.
I looked at similar interactions to see how I could encourage the correct “tap-to-pay” motion.
The OMNY card would work with NFC technology, and the front barcode could be used to imply the “tap” motion instead of “swipe”.
Findings
I decided a vertical card would be more intuitive. The bar code became a graphic element that suggested the correct motion.
I learned about the printing process in order to convince the MTA that the sideways barcode would still scan.
Iteration
I also prevented the existence of a carbon fiber texture, drop shadow, fake metallic monstrosity.
This was easier said than done.
