FAQ - The Creative Process
FAQ - THE CREATIVE PROCESS
1. Why did you start this?
I started creating these maps out of a deep passion for music, film, and data visualisation, combined with my professional background in show and event design. The initial idea was born during lockdown, serving as a creative outlet and a way to reconnect with my interests in a unique format. It was also a response to my ongoing neurological condition, talking of which.
2. How does your brain work?
My process involves immersing myself fully into the subject matter, whether it's the discography of a band or the storyline of a film. This deep dive helps me uncover intricate connections and pivotal moments, which I then translate into visual narratives. It's a blend of creativity, research, and precision.
3. Isn't this 'just' Pete Frame's Rock Family Trees?
While intrigued by the concept of interconnectedness found in Pete Frame's Family Trees, my maps extend beyond, showing not only band members but also the vast number of contributing artists across any given studio album.
My tube / underground band maps are not only about showcasing relationships, but also about telling stories through a distinct visual medium that combines the complexity of a subject with aesthetic appeal.
My music research is unique in that it brings together information from scattered and often overlooked sources, details that have never been compiled in one place before. By connecting data from interviews, fan forums, album liner notes, visual aesthetics, and historical context,
I uncover hidden relationships and cultural patterns across artists and genres. I then translate this research into transit-style maps that tell compelling stories through visual design, turning complex musical histories into accessible, engaging journeys for the viewer.
4. How long does it take to plot a map?
The time to plot a map varies significantly depending on its complexity. It can take anywhere from a few days to a week. This includes thorough research, design iterations, and the meticulous use of data filtering, as well as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, to ensure accuracy and visual impact.
5. Do you do commissions?
Yes, I do sometimes take on commissioned work. My Levellers and Dire Straits maps were created as gifts for specific band members from their families. Whether it's a personal favourite band, a beloved film, or another subject of interest, I enjoy working closely with clients to bring their visions to life in the form of unique, detailed maps.
6. Do you have a bit of software that does it all for you?
No, although I wish I did! While I use CAD software to plot the maps and ensure precision, and spreadsheets to filter data research, the software is just a tool. The creative process, from research to design conception and the selection of elements that tell the story, relies heavily on manual effort and artistic intuition. No software automatically creates these maps; each one is the result of a hands-on, detailed process.
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.