In the mid-1950s, Jock Kinneir had a serendipitous encounter at a Green Line bus stop with David Alford, an architect involved in designing London’s Gatwick Airport. When Alford discovered that Kinneir lived nearby, he asked if he had ever designed an airport signage system. Kinneir admitted he had not, as such a system had never been created before, but he was invited to study the project. This commission became a defining moment in his career, opening doors to future innovations in graphic design.

During the development of this project, Kinneir began collaborating with Margaret Calvert, who joined as his assistant. Their partnership was instrumental not only in the Gatwick signage system but also in their subsequent groundbreaking work, including the design of the United Kingdom’s modern road signage. This collaboration marked the beginning of a highly influential professional relationship, with Calvert playing a pivotal role in shaping the visual language of public design​. (hs)