ARTWORK STYLE - TRANSIT MAPS
Originality of Designs
All Mike Bell Maps artworks are original designs created by British designer and researcher Mike Bell. Each piece is the result of extensive research, concept development, and visual experimentation, transforming complex cultural stories into clear and engaging transit-style art prints.
Independent, Transformative Artwork
The distinctive tube-map visual style used across my prints is entirely original in execution and concept. While the aesthetic is inspired by classic information design, none of my works are endorsed by, connected to, or associated with Transport for London (TfL) or any other transport authority. Every layout, colour scheme, and connection line is uniquely designed to communicate musical, cinematic, or cultural journeys — not geographic routes.
Copyright and Fair Dealing
Since 2014, UK copyright law has recognised pastiche as a legitimate form of fair dealing. This allows artists to create new, transformative works that reference or reimagine existing visual styles without reproducing or substituting the original designs. My maps clearly fall within this definition — they are reinterpretations that use visual language to explain music histories, film plots, and political narratives in a completely new context.
Creative Integrity
Each map under the Mike Bell Maps name is designed, researched, and produced in-house in East Sussex, UK. No elements are copied, traced, or directly replicated from existing transport materials. The layouts are built from scratch using detailed data sets and cultural timelines, ensuring that every print represents a fresh piece of visual storytelling.
Purpose and Spirit of the Work
These prints are intended as artworks, educational pieces, and tributes to the music, film, and cultural histories they represent. They are not navigational tools, nor substitutes for any original transport maps. The goal is to bring structure and clarity to complex creative legacies — transforming information into visual journeys that invite discovery and discussion.
Through this approach, Mike Bell Maps celebrates both the heritage of modern design and the right to artistic reinterpretation — turning familiar visual systems into something entirely new, meaningful, and culturally valuable.
ABOUT MIKE BELL
Mike Bell Maps is my expanding collection of art prints of music maps, film plots line maps and other subjects - from politics to places and F1 too.
Each art print transforms the rich, complex history of bands, films, and more into beautifully designed art prints that combine storytelling, research, and design.
From Live Design to Visual Storytelling Art print Design
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 show design took over, I worked in live sound - hauling flight cases, climbing PA stacks, and working with some very interesting cliche roadies. 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 Art Print
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 Art
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.
