Places & Spaces My Library

My Library – A Map of the World ccording to Illustrators and Storytellers

October 31, 2013

Does anyone get the feeling i might be maps obsessed? This is another my library post and today i want to share a book i’ve had for over 6 months and that’s a constant source of inspiration to me. A map of the world according to illustrators and storytellers is another gem from the brilliant gestalten that are experts at publishing visual storytelling. I reviewed the amazing around the world here.

So what makes visual storytelling so compelling? Well, our brains process visual information around 60,000 times faster than text. However, while you can capture someone’s attention with great visuals, you still have to captivate and communicate your message. That’s where the story side comes into play.

In the preface it says: “only a few representation devices have been such a fountainhead of wonderment, controversy, and utility as maps have.” You’ll find an eclectic collection of more than 500 contemporary maps by today’s most sought-after artists, designers and illustrators. Some are accurate and some will be abstract. Whichever, they all represent the creative zeitgeist of contemporary cartography.

Take a look at some of my favourites:

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Deanna halsall – an uncle’s guide to london

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Jenni sparks – hand drawn map of london

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Vic lee – london

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Rude – verona from the sky

A Map of the World - Colourliving

i love dust – tour de france

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Loulou & tummie – smart electrique drive

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Jimmy gleeson  – we heart melbourne

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Mike lemanski – london

A Map of the World - Colourliving

Which map style speaks to you? Do you know or own this book? Happy weekend everyone!

You Might Also Like

30 Comments

  • Reply Michelle October 31, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Looks like a beautiful book. I have a thing for maps too though haven’t got around to totally indulging it. Probably a good thing.

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:40 pm

      The Book is really beautiful and a constant inspiration:-) Love Maps……

  • Reply Igor October 31, 2013 at 11:27 am

    I had a glance into this book a while ago and loved the colourful map illustrations. Again, I am always drawn to it as I was a world explorer with my Atlas as a kid:-) It triggers all kind of inspiration and reverie…

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:41 pm

      Isn’t it gorgeous??? Did you see Munich? Love that you were a World explorer as a kid with your Atlas and it’s now happened in reality as an adult:-)

  • Reply Anne Ditmeyer (@pretavoyager) October 31, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    For anyone who wants to win a copy of this book, I’m running a project challenge to map your favorite neighborhood in my Skillshare MAPS class. You’ll also win postcard-sized print outs of your map. The deadline is Nov 18th.

    Here’s where you sign up: http://skl.sh/11RQ8Ig

    And there’s a discount in this blog post 🙂
    http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/2013/10/map-project-challenge/

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:42 pm

      Tempting BUT I’ve already got the price:-)

  • Reply caroline @trend-daily October 31, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    I’ve always loved looking at maps too Tina. It’s wonderful how they’ve become real works of art 🙂

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:42 pm

      You’re so right, they are real works of art x

  • Reply Sarah @ Mocha November 1, 2013 at 9:42 am

    I really like the way the city maps have been interpreted and re-imagined a in so many different creative ways by the various artists and illustrators.

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:43 pm

      Yes, hope you get to see the book in real life… astounding!

  • Reply Anya Jensen November 1, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Love this book Tina, maps are really on the map (pardon) at the mo – these are cool, work of art indeed. Happy weekend love,
    Axx

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:43 pm

      Yes, definitely the Zeitgeist for Maps xx

  • Reply Tina Fussell November 1, 2013 at 11:52 am

    My husband loves great maps and this book is a great find, thanks for featuring it!

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:44 pm

      Hello Tina:-)

      The format and every page is very impressive…. maybe for Xmas?

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey November 1, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    For its sheer artistic genius, Jenni Sparks hand drawn map of London is a stunner. I particularly love that is has a focus on south London and I can see where I used to live near Burgess Park 🙂 I also love Mike Lemanski’s London.

    Oh and it did cross my mind that might be map obsessed 😉

    Gxx

    • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey November 1, 2013 at 1:53 pm

      Oh and it did cross my mind that YOU might be map obsessed x

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      I know, can you imagine hand-drawing all of that? Haha! Glad you saw that:-)

      There are so many great maps in there.
      Yes, defo Maps obsessed!! xx

      It’s your Birthday as I’m commenting back. You’re probably sitting in your Shell Chair now:-)) x

  • Reply Parisbreakfast November 2, 2013 at 1:55 am

    What a fun and differedt way to make maps.
    I’m a big fan of maps

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      You’d love this book Carol!

  • Reply Catherine Bedson November 3, 2013 at 2:23 am

    I find maps fascinating as well Tina. I don’t own this book but love ‘I love dust’ Tour De France and of course the Melbourne map. Thank you for your lovely comment about Emma leaving home. I was touched and agree we should raise children with the skills & confidence to be released into the world when the time is right! Xx :))))

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:47 pm

      The Melbourne map was really for you:-)) Glad you noticed!
      Aww, hope you’re ok xx

  • Reply BECKY - PRETTY DANDY November 3, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Love this – this is going to make a fab Christmas present for a few people I know 🙂

    • Reply tina November 4, 2013 at 10:47 pm

      Yes, brilliant pressie. I always find that Books like that are inspirational, fun and very impressive as presents.
      Thanks Becky x

  • Reply Alison Sye November 5, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    Crikey, 60,000 times faster.
    As you know, I share that same map obsession – so could stare at these pictures for hours.

    • Reply tina November 6, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Hahaha. I know…. yep, 60.000 times faster!

  • Reply Doris November 6, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    Maps are so interesting because they can be interpreted in many many ways… the Vic Lee map is my favourite, maybe cause of the writing style. I also have to say that it was nice to see a map of Melbourne in there also ;). xD

    • Reply tina November 10, 2013 at 10:27 pm

      Ha. yes, forget you’re Australian:-) There are so many Maps in this Book that I’ll never get bored! xx

  • Reply Holly November 10, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    I know this book 😉 I love Rude’s Verona from the sky!! Checked out their shop and it’s pretty fun … I like a lot of items, but they’re a bit too colourful to come into my home.

    Which map styles speak to me? … I’m not sure what kind of map styles exist so it’S a bit hard for me to say. But depending on the function, I imagine I could respond well to realistic and abstract maps alike.

    Another nice book from your shelves … thanks Tina!

    Xx.

    • Reply tina November 10, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Ha. It’s great, right? I love their shop. So colourful. I agree, a bit too much for your home:-) LOL

      I think what’s so fantastic about this time and the Zeitgeist of Maps, is that anything goes today, thanks to contemporary cartography!
      Thanks love xx

  • Reply Parisbreakfast July 17, 2015 at 9:49 am

    Ha, I got this book yesterday in Paris..only took 2 years. But to a beginner map-maker its an essential!
    I remembered you had done something..
    Yay

  • Leave a Reply