MIKEBELLMAPS

Each line I draw traces a path through time—whether it’s the studio albums of a legendary band, the plot twists of a cult film, or the political shifts of a defining era.

This is a one-person project, born during lockdown. When the world paused, so did my freelance work in live music and show design—a career I’d built over decades. At the same time, I was coming to terms with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, and needed something creative and absorbing to focus on. Designing maps brought together my skills in storytelling, layout, and research—and became a way to stay active, independent, and expressive.

Every map begins with deep research—pulling together timelines, line-ups, credits, collaborations, and key moments. Then I translate that data into carefully crafted tube-style layouts, where each album becomes a station, each character a line, and each intersection a moment of connection. The results are visual narratives that make you look again at the stories you thought you knew.

I create maps for fans of classic and contemporary bands, from The Beatles and Bowie to New Order, Springsteen, and beyond. I’ve also mapped out film plots, political histories, and even entire seasons of Formula 1. All my work is designed and printed in the UK, available as art prints, greeting cards, and jigsaws, shipping worldwide from my studio in Lewes, East Sussex.

This isn’t generic wall art. It’s data-driven design with heart, made for people who love music, film, and culture in all their detail. Whether you’re a collector, a superfan, or just someone who loves clever visual storytelling, my maps offer a unique way to connect with the things you love.

Every map is drawn by hand. Every design is a tribute to the bigger story beneath the surface.