RATP's Visual Identity Reinvented: Valentin Socha and the Digital Guimard Lettering

The Parisian metro is a world-renowned symbol of the French capital, with its iconic Art Nouveau entrances designed by Hector Guimard. These historic structures, with their organic, fluid forms, are not just functional elements but cultural landmarks in their own right. One of their most distinctive features is the lettering on the ‘Métropolitain’ signs, characterized by plant-like, sinuous shapes that embody the essence of early 20th-century Art Nouveau design. However, until recently, this unique typography was limited in scope, existing only in the context of these signs with variations from one entrance to another.

Recognizing the need to expand and modernize this visual identity, RATP—the company responsible for operating the Paris region’s transport network—embarked on an ambitious project: to digitize and extend Guimard’s iconic lettering into a full typographic set. This effort was not merely about preservation but about reinvention, allowing the lettering to be used in a variety of contemporary applications, from merchandise to digital communications.

Leading this typographic endeavor was French graphic and editorial designer Valentin Socha. A graduate of the prestigious École Estienne in Paris, Socha brings a multidisciplinary approach to design, blending graphic design, motion design, interactive elements, and typographic craftsmanship. With a keen interest in the visual language of everyday life, he also shares his knowledge and insights through his YouTube channel, where he explores the history behind urban signage and graphic symbols.

For this project, Valentin Socha studied the original lettering, ensuring that the spirit of Guimard’s hand-drawn variations was preserved. Instead of creating a rigid, uniform typeface, he developed multiple alternative versions of most characters, capturing the organic diversity inherent in the original signs. This approach allowed for a dynamic and flexible digital font that stays true to the playful and ornamental nature of Art Nouveau.

The result is a typographic system that not only honors Guimard’s legacy but also brings it into the modern era. The new digital font can now be used across RATP’s growing range of branded products, reinforcing its visual identity while celebrating Paris’s artistic heritage. Thanks to Socha’s expertise, the ‘Guimard style’ lettering is no longer confined to metro entrances—it has been revived and adapted for contemporary use, ensuring that this unique typographic tradition continues to thrive in the 21st century.

RATP's Visual Identity Reinvented: Valentin Socha and the Digital Guimard Lettering

The Parisian metro is a world-renowned symbol of the French capital, with its iconic Art Nouveau entrances designed by Hector Guimard. These historic structures, with their organic, fluid forms, are not just functional elements but cultural landmarks in their own right. One of their most distinctive features is the lettering on the ‘Métropolitain’ signs, characterized by plant-like, sinuous shapes that embody the essence of early 20th-century Art Nouveau design. However, until recently, this unique typography was limited in scope, existing only in the context of these signs with variations from one entrance to another.

Recognizing the need to expand and modernize this visual identity, RATP—the company responsible for operating the Paris region’s transport network—embarked on an ambitious project: to digitize and extend Guimard’s iconic lettering into a full typographic set. This effort was not merely about preservation but about reinvention, allowing the lettering to be used in a variety of contemporary applications, from merchandise to digital communications.

Leading this typographic endeavor was French graphic and editorial designer Valentin Socha. A graduate of the prestigious École Estienne in Paris, Socha brings a multidisciplinary approach to design, blending graphic design, motion design, interactive elements, and typographic craftsmanship. With a keen interest in the visual language of everyday life, he also shares his knowledge and insights through his YouTube channel, where he explores the history behind urban signage and graphic symbols.

For this project, Valentin Socha studied the original lettering, ensuring that the spirit of Guimard’s hand-drawn variations was preserved. Instead of creating a rigid, uniform typeface, he developed multiple alternative versions of most characters, capturing the organic diversity inherent in the original signs. This approach allowed for a dynamic and flexible digital font that stays true to the playful and ornamental nature of Art Nouveau.

The result is a typographic system that not only honors Guimard’s legacy but also brings it into the modern era. The new digital font can now be used across RATP’s growing range of branded products, reinforcing its visual identity while celebrating Paris’s artistic heritage. Thanks to Socha’s expertise, the ‘Guimard style’ lettering is no longer confined to metro entrances—it has been revived and adapted for contemporary use, ensuring that this unique typographic tradition continues to thrive in the 21st century.