Journal

My new year’s resolution for 2017 was to read a hundred books that year, and in doing so it occurred to me that I’d virtually travelled to a lot of places whilst reading them.

I thought it would be an interesting idea in 2018 and 2019 to sketch some of these fictional and non-fictional places as a way to try out new ideas for illustrated maps.

If you’re looking for my portfolio of maps, cityscapes, typography and infographics, it’s here.

Map of Dune, London, UK inspired by reading Coconut Unlimited by Nikesh ShuklaLaura Barnard

Modern Nature / Derek Jarman

Map of Portland, Oregon, U.S. inspired by reading Lean on Pete by Willy VlautinLaura Barnard

Lean on Pete / Willy Vlautin

Map of Davos, Switzerland inspired by reading The Gustav Sonata by Rose TremainLaura Barnard

The Gustav Sonata / Rose Tremain

Map of Harrow, London, UK inspired by reading Coconut Unlimited by Nikesh ShuklaLaura Barnard

Coconut Unlimited / Nikesh Shukla

Map of Walden Pond, Concord, Massachusetts inspired by reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Walden / Henry David Thoreau

World map inspired by reading This Must Be The Place by Maggie O'Farrell

This Must Be The Place / Maggie O'Farrell

Map of London, Carlisle & Newcastle inspired by reading The Death Of An Owl by Paul Torday & Piers Torday

The Death Of An Owl / Paul Torday & Piers Torday

Map of Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. inspired by reading Turtles All The Way Down by John Green

Turtles All The Way Down / John Green

Map of El Paso, Texas, U.S. and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico inspired by reading Tequila Sunset by Sam Hawken

Tequila Sunset / Sam Hawken

Map of Clapham Common & Charing Cross, London, UK & Doubs Valley, France inspired by reading Shuttlecock by Graham Swift

Shuttlecock / Graham Swift

Map of the Birmingham Canal Network inspired by reading Hidden Nature by Alys Fowler

Hidden Nature / Alys Fowler

Map of Aldwinter, Essex inspired by reading The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

The Essex Serpent / Sarah Perry

Map of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo inspired by reading Black Moses by Alain Mabanckou

Black Moses / Alain Mabanckou