".. REALLY LIKE WHAT YOU'VE DONE, MIKE.." BILLY BRAGG
MIKE BELL MAPS - CREATOR OF MUSIC MAPS & MORE
Mike Bell Maps is a collection of music maps and visualised discographies created by designer and researcher Mike Bell in East Sussex.
Each print transforms the rich, complex history of bands, films, and political movements into beautifully designed art prints that combine storytelling, research, and design.
From Live Design to Visual Storytelling
Trained initially as a 3D show and set designer, I spent years designing live experiences for major brands and cultural events. When the live events industry paused during lockdown, I channelled my creative energy into something new - visualising the music I love. What began as a personal experiment quickly evolved into a full-time project uniting design, research, and cultural storytelling.
Roots in Live Music
Before design took over, I worked in live sound - hauling flight cases, climbing PA stacks, and working with bands and acts across Europe. Those early years gave me an insider’s perspective on music and collaboration. Now, instead of loading speakers, I load up maps of bands and albums, each filled with the same spirit of energy, history, and connection.
The First Music Map
My first music map, charting The Fall’s album line-ups, went through sixteen versions before it felt complete - refined with input from band member and producer Simon Rodgers. That dedication to accuracy and detail still defines everything I make. Every map blends primary research, fan archives, liner notes, and interviews to uncover stories that even die-hard fans might have missed.
Turning Data into Design
Each Mike Bell Map transforms this research into a tube-style visual journey: albums become stations, musicians form connecting lines, and stories unfold across decades. Whether it’s a band’s discography, a film’s plot, or a political history, my maps turn complexity into clarity - transforming information into art that invites discovery.
A Global Creative Project
What began as a lockdown brain exercise to manage a minor neurological condition has evolved into an international art print business, shipping worldwide. Each piece is made to spark curiosity, inspire conversation, and celebrate legacy - helping people explore the stories behind the music, movies, and cultural moments that shape our lives.
Mike Bell Maps is where research meets design, and every map tells a story worth tracing.
"IT IS TRULY AMAZING” THE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ARCHIVE
BEST-SELLING TRANSIT MAPS - MUSIC, FILM & MORE..
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DAVID BOWIE Albums in Order – Every Musician Connected
All supplied as giclée prints under mounts and finished in sleek black FSC-certified frames.
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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Albums in Order – Every Musician Connected
All supplied as giclée prints under mounts and finished in sleek black FSC-certified frames.
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BEATLES Albums in Order – Every Musician Connected
All supplied as giclée prints under mounts and finished in sleek black FSC-certified frames.
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STEELY DAN Albums in Order – Every Musician Connected
All supplied as giclée prints under mounts and finished in sleek black FSC-certified frames.
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THE FALL Albums in Order – Every Musician Connected
All supplied as giclée prints under mounts and finished in sleek black FSC-certified frames.
