FAQ - ABOUT THE TUBE MAPS
What do Mike Bell's tube maps show?
These art prints map the full story of the subject, such as a musician’s studio albums and collaborators or a film’s complete plot structure, in a tube map-style layout. Albums or key moments are shown as stations, with people or characters connected through clear, logical lines. It is designed to show the whole picture, not just a single image or moment.
How accurate is the information?
Each tube map is built using detailed research from trusted sources, including official credits, liner notes, interviews, and archival references. Accuracy and clarity are central to the design process, and every map is checked and refined before release.
Who creates these underground maps?
All the tube maps are researched and designed by Mike Bell in the UK. This is original, independent work created by a specialist designer rather than mass-produced artwork.
What makes this different from a standard poster?
Unlike typical posters that focus on imagery alone, Mike's tube maps visualise structure, relationships, and timelines. They are designed to reward close inspection and long-term viewing. Many customers describe them as both artwork and reference pieces.
What quality are the prints?
The artwork is printed on premium archival-grade paper using high-quality printing processes to ensure sharp detail, rich colour, and long-lasting durability. These prints are made for permanent display rather than short-term decoration.
Are framed options available?
Yes. Many designs are available as unframed prints or professionally framed and ready to hang. Available options are shown clearly on each product page.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Orders are shipped worldwide and carefully packaged to protect the artwork during transit. Shipping options and delivery estimates are shown at checkout.
Is this a good gift for fans?
Yes. These maps are popular gifts because they are based on subjects people already love, making them feel personal, thoughtful, and lasting rather than generic.
ABOUT MIKE BELL - TUBE MAP DESIGNER
Mike Bell Maps is my growing collection of tube map art prints that reimagine music, film, and culture through the visual language of underground maps. Each design presents albums in order, film plots, and complex creative histories as clear, engaging tube-style timelines created for fans who value depth and detail.
RESEARCH-LED DESIGN
Every artwork is built on original research and careful verification. Albums become stations. Musicians, characters, and ideas form connecting lines. This approach turns detailed information into visual storytelling, creating art prints that bring clarity and meaning to subjects people already care about.
MY STORY
My background is rooted in live sound and large-scale show design, working across music and cultural events for many years. That experience shaped how I understand collaboration, creative evolution, and structure. During lockdown, I applied that knowledge to mapping music and films, developing underground maps that balance accuracy, design, and narrative.
THE ARTWORK
Each print is produced to archival standards and designed to last. These are not novelty posters. They are considered art prints created for people who value music history, film structure, and informed design. They make thoughtful gifts for fans who want something personal, researched, and meaningful.
Mike Bell Maps is where research-led tube maps become art prints, and where stories worth knowing are mapped clearly, carefully, and beautifully.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What are Mike Bell’s tube map art prints?
A: My prints utilise an advanced visual language based on the logic of underground maps to organise complex histories. By moving beyond basic cartography, I transform albums into "stations" and musicians or themes into "connecting lines." This allows fans to explore hundreds of data points - from session musician credits to chronological collaborations - within a single, intuitive visual system.
Q: How do these maps differ from standard music or tube posters?
A: The primary difference is information density and quality. While standard posters are often low-resolution decorative pieces on thin paper (135-170gsm), my prints are research-led discographies printed on archival-grade, 305gsm+ heavyweight giclée paper. They are designed to be "read" like a book, rewarding deep curiosity with discoveries not found in mass-produced merchandise.
Q: How is the accuracy of the research verified?
A: Accuracy is the core of my design process. Every map is synthesised from primary sources, including official liner notes, session archives, musician interviews, and verified fan databases. By incorporating musician inputs and fact-checking against trusted archives, I ensure that each map is a historically accurate record of the subject’s career.
Q: What subjects are available in the collection?
A: The collection spans a wide range of cultural histories, including music discographies, film plots, politics, and Formula One. Each map focuses on a single narrative, presenting the whole "story" of a subject - such as the evolution of a band or the timeline of a sport- in a clear, high-density visual format.
Q: Are these prints produced sustainably?
A: Yes. I prioritise a carbon-neutral workflow by producing prints locally to the buyer to reduce the shipping footprint. I use sustainable wood frames and archival materials designed for 100+ years of colour stability, ensuring the art is a lasting investment rather than disposable décor.
Q: Why do these maps make the best gifts for music and film fans?
A: Unlike generic posters, these are bespoke cultural maps that celebrate a fan's deep knowledge. Because they are research-led and visually unique (featuring narratives not seen elsewhere), they offer a sophisticated, gallery-quality alternative for those who value the "deep dive" into their favourite artist or film.