"Fare media is the one touchpoint that every Metro customer experiences every time they ride, and we sell some 129 million tickets and passes each year. We redesigned our Day Pass and pass series to reinforce the more vibrant and energetic Metro we were introducing in all other materials. Practical elements such as fluorescent inks and a hologram overlay help discourage counterfeiting but also add to the design mix. [OP CUT: The bold type of the Day Pass is not only a brand signifier; it helps operators to verify tickets in a split-second. Color combinations vary monthly. The pass series (semi-annual, monthly, semi-weekly and weekly) is a great opportunity to highlight differing themes such as vehicle design, employee service, technology innovations and LA destinations. Here again, typography and the prominent calendar help fare-checkers do their job quickly. We shoot all photos in-house. It's a treat to see the end results in the hands of customers as we share the ride to work each day.] Rather than settle for the off-the-shelf ticket vending machine and interface, we pushed (probably to the point of annoyance) for a custom design. Embossed bevels now incorporate the DIN face used for maps and signage as well as our proprietary icons. We also changed the coloration on the different panels and created a top panel decal to help new users buy a ticket. A colorful motion graphic runs on the screen when the machine is inactive. Our design work proved popular with the manufacturer: the company now uses it at trade shows and sales meetings. "