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Deutsche Bahn
2024
Reimagining timetables in Deutsche Bahn travel centers.
Project summary
[[At zigzag GmbH, I worked on redesigning Deutsche Bahn timetables, providing a visual update and structural overhaul for train station lounges and travel centers.]]

By refreshing the landscape format with a modern aesthetic and introducing a new portrait format, the redesign ensures both formats remain cohesive and accessible to diverse travelers across Germany.
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Information
zigzag GmbH
Florian Dusch
Sina Zorn
Team
Information design
2024
6 Weeks
Role
Conception
Prototyping
Visual design
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Briefing
We were tasked with redesigning DB timetables to align with their new design language. The main challenge was ensuring that both portrait and landscape versions remained visually cohesive and accessible for the diverse users of German train stations.
Table layout with columns labeled PORTRAIT and TRAVEL CENTER, containing alternating white and light gray rows.
Wireframe layout showing a portable display booth with three sections labeled Reveal, Landscape, and Lounge, including placeholder lines for text.
Placeholder image icon with a mountain and sun inside a rounded square on a light gray background.
Portrait format
The portrait format follows a traditional 9:16 aspect ratio and presents information in a compact, accessible layout. Departures appear from the bottom of the screen, with up to 12 shown at a time.
Train departure board at Stuttgart Hbf showing times, train numbers, destinations, platform numbers, and status updates for multiple trains in a table format.
Placeholder image icon with a mountain and sun inside a rounded square on a light gray background.
Placeholder image icon with a mountain and sun inside a rounded square on a light gray background.
Establishing the visual hiararchy
To achieve a streamlined visual appearance, the landscape format was divided into two sections that reflect a similar aspect ratio to the traditional 9:16 portrait format.
Landscape format
In the landscape format, the left section highlights the most relevant upcoming departures, while the right section uses pagination to show additional departures. Station officials can adjust the number of pages to match the station’s traffic.
Train departure board at Stuttgart Hbf showing times, destinations, and platforms including a cancelled train to Hamburg-Altona at 18:20.
Placeholder image icon with a mountain and sun inside a rounded square on a light gray background.
Placeholder image icon with a mountain and sun inside a rounded square on a light gray background.
Designing for accessibility
We followed WCAG 2.2 standards to ensure clear visuals, readable typography, and intuitive hierarchy, aiming to create effortless wayfinding for all travelers, regardless of age, ability, language, or familiarity with DB’s design system.
Train schedule showing time 17:56, train type MEX 16, destination Ulm Hbf, platform 15, with the trip cancelled notice.
Design system
We expanded existing design elements and introduced familiar components, such as the train type chip from the DB Navigator app, to strengthen consistency and recognition across formats.
Orange triangular warning sign with a white exclamation mark in the center.
Orange triangular warning sign with a white exclamation mark in the center.
Three rounded rectangular buttons stacked vertically with text: ICE 456 in white on dark gray, EC 65 in white on medium gray, and RB 50 in white on light gray.
Reflection
As part of my internship at zigag, I gained invaluable experience working directly with stakeholders for the first time. I was entrusted with communicating our concepts and justifying design decisions to the client. These sessions not only taught me about presenting a solution, but also adapting it to develop a final version that aligned with evolving project needs.

Additionally, I enjoyed the challenge of designing for the massive and unpredictable audience of a train station. This setting raised the stakes around readability and flow. As a result, I believe it strengthened my ability to not only utilize an existing design system, but also adapt it to solve design problems while maintaining cohesion.
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