WHAT ARE MIKE'S MUSIC MAP ART PRINTS?
Discover the Ultimate Art Print Gift for Music Lovers:
Music map art prints that tell the whole story. My music maps offer the perfect solution if you’ve ever struggled to track who played what, when a band changed lineup, or how an artist evolved across decades.
Each one is a meticulously designed transit-style map that charts a legendary band or artist’s entire studio album history, visually tracing every musician, collaborator, and guest across the years.
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.
Think of it as a journey map, where the stations are albums, and the lines are the people who made the music happen.
How My Art Prints Help Music Lovers Like You
These aren’t just attractive wall prints. They solve real problems for passionate fans, collectors, and curious listeners:
- Want to understand a band’s whole story? My maps provide a clear, visual way to follow their evolution, without having to dig through Wikipedia or messy timelines.
- Have you lost track of who played on what? Every musician, core or guest, is mapped album by album, making it easy to track their contributions.
- Searching for a meaningful gift? These prints spark joy, nostalgia, and endless conversation, ideal for anyone who loves music.
How It Works: The Design Behind the Music Maps
Each map begins with the artist’s full discography. Studio albums become “stations” on the route. Then, using the language of transport maps, I draw “lines” for each musician:
- A guitarist who played on every album has a line running from start to finish.
- Guest musicians appear only at specific points, weaving briefly into the narrative.
- Lineup changes are clearly shown, who joined, who left, and when it happened.
It’s a compelling and intuitive way to understand a band's whole story, from its big names to its unsung contributors.
What Makes These Music Maps Unique?
- Visual Storytelling: Watch a band’s history unfold like a journey, easy to follow and unforgettable.
- Deep Research: Every print is based on extensive research into studio credits, timelines, and guest appearances.
- Handcrafted Design: I create each map myself, no templates, no automation, just thoughtful design made with passion.
- Archival Print Quality: Printed on heavyweight art paper, these maps are built to last and look stunning framed.
- Conversation Starters: Fans and collectors love unpacking the details, which makes them perfect for music rooms, studios, and gifts.
Who Are The Art Prints For?
- Long-time fans who want a new way to appreciate their favourite band
- New listeners discovering a discography for the first time
- Vinyl and CD collectors who value liner notes and musician credits
- Design lovers looking for something bold, meaningful, and beautiful
- People hunting for the perfect music-related gift
Whether it's Fleetwood Mac’s ever-changing lineup or David Bowie’s shape-shifting collaborations, my maps capture it all, album by album, player by player. They turn musical history into something you can see, frame, and admire daily.
Each Underground-Style Music Map Art Print Offers:
- A straightforward, linear narrative of studio albums
- Insights into the creative evolution of legendary artists
- A unique way to explore musical connections across genres and decades
Whether you love classic rock, jazz, or pop, these maps offer a visually rich and informative way to rediscover your favourite artists. I regularly add new maps, making this collection a must for music lovers, collectors, and historians.
Start your journey today, and experience music like never before, through the power of maps.
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.
