While it’s a given that metro maps are a design lesson in themselves shrinking them down while retaining their complexity is something else entirely. Having tried his hand at designing a transportation app and in the process streamlined the mass of colored lines that make up a city’s underground map into miniature representations, graphic designer Peter Dovak’s new icons were so striking they their own series. Having now created 220 shrunken icons, his series Mini Metros has captured the likes of Tokyo, London, Paris, New York, Seoul and Shanghai to name a few.

Designed within a strict parameter of a 120-pixel circle, the limited space offers an even greater understanding of the relative complexity of the range of metro systems around the world. Displayed on prints, mugs and maps, transit fans can purchase his interpretations for themselves.

Images © Peter Dovak