Lee's Palace mural designer hired by the TTC

Toronto artist Al Runt, the man responsible for the colourful designs at Lee's Palace, Big Fat Burrito and a host of commercial products including limited edition cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon, can now add Toronto Transit Commission Ride Guide to his extensive resume.

The TTC has commissioned Runt, also known by his real name, Alex Currie, to design the latest cover of the monthly leaflet that contains a system map and other service information. Spokesman Brad Ross says hiring local artists to design the Ride Guide cover is part of a broader series of design improvements.

"What we're trying to do is reflect the city back to our riders," Ross says. "Engaging with local artists and commissioning works that have a TTC theme, but are also evocative of Toronto generally is the goal, and I think we've been successful in that thus far."

Runt's design shows a subway train, a bus, and streetcar passing through a series of cogs with 'A T.O. B' in large letters. In a short film made before the work was purchased, Runt said the design was "total eye candy."

"This is the one I really want them to do because I think it will be a really sharp looking graphic and I just like the idea in a Ride Guide of 'from A to B.'"

Ross says so far the response has been "pretty positive."

The design will be available in poster form via the TTC's online store later this week.

What do you think of the design?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: TTC