Map room treasures from Oxford

Posted on September 23, 2016 by marleen

Well, since the holidays are only 1 nod away (at least it feels like it when autumn kicks in) I thought it could be useful to help you with some map inspired gift ideas. We’re starting off with this beautiful book just published in Oxford: ‘Treasures from the Map room’. I know from first hand that the map room of the Bodleian Libraries holds some very beautiful treasures, such as the awesome map below (I wrote my thesis on cartoon maps during my masters programme in Oxford).

But, lets get back to the wishlist for the holidays this year. Check out this beautiful publication, edited by Debbie Hall. You might want to add this to your personal wishlist!

Just a few hours in Paris

Posted on January 30, 2016 by marleen

Well, if you happen to be in Paris for just a day and you just don’t know where to start choosing what to do/see/eat/visit, here’s the perfect little helper. The guys at TripAside created this Layover Map of Paris for you to help you decide what to do.The map suggests a route through Paris composed with tips from locals: charming streets, good food, Paris-highlights and nice boutiques to do some shopping for your crew at home! TripAside will send you a PDF of the map for free if you just drop them an email.

Squeeze that map!

Posted on September 27, 2015 by marleen

This is a great invention. Dénes Sátor, a design student from Hungary, was inspired by globes and created this egg-shaped map. If you squeeze the map it pops out and shows you details of the city of Budapest. So, if you are stressed out about finding your way around Budapest, this map could be of assistance in two ways: reducing your stress levels and showing you the right way! Great thinking.

Fascinating nuclear detonation maps

Posted on August 10, 2015 by marleen

Look at this. Alex Wellerstein, a historian of science at the Stevens Institute of Technology, developed this NUKEMAP: the map shows the impact of nuclear detonation. NUKEMAP uses Google Maps info: you can select any location in the world. Also you can use presets such as detonations from the past (either pick that location or yield -in kilotons-. Imagine what the Hiroshima explosion would do to your hometown. Impressive to see, plus it is an interesting use of maps to visualise information.

The map screen shots below show:
1. The impact of the Little Boy (used in Hiroshima 70 years ago) on Amsterdam
2. The impact of the W-78 (in the current US arsenal) on New York

MATC loves Wallpapered

Posted on April 21, 2015 by marleen

Looking for a website with a lot of mappy options in one place: try visiting Wallpapered.com. Obviously there are more websites where you can order wallpapers, but these guys really understand the beauty and awesomeness of maps. And we like that at MATC HQ! You can order various ‘standard’ map wallpapers, but you can also request information about a custom made map wallpaper, for instance with a map of your own city or region.

I’ve entered my information to request more information about a custom map wallpaper with specific measurements, and the quick reply I got seems prove of their high service level. The only thing left for me to do is figure out what map to choose and to convince my boyfriend we should really add some map wallpaper to our home.. Wish me luck!

And here’s a preview of the website when you request more information about your specific map:

Fractal beauty

Posted on March 15, 2015 by marleen

Have you ever seen these maps by Emily Garfield? These are maps of imaginary places (and, also of existing cities). The structure of the drawings is ‘inspired by the visual language of maps and the fractal similarity that cities share with biological processes such as the patterns of cells and neurons’. I am really not an expert in biological processes but I immediately see what she means. And I love them: these seem to be cities you want to wander around en get lost in. Enjoy your (imaginary) city trip this Sunday afternoon!

All images: Emily Garfield Art.

Map your Interior

Posted on January 15, 2015 by marleen

Looking for a pretty map to spice up your interior? Here are some suggestions:

I love this black one: a stylish option if you want to add some cartography to your home but you don’t like the look and feel of ‘regular’ world maps.

You might already know I absolutely love this website created by Waag Society showing the age of buildings in the Netherlands. You can order a map detail here.

Or, think about ordering a ‘general’ topographic map. We ordered one to decorate our hallway in our new home (we glued this map onto some hardboard, easy does it):

Polder Map Scarf

Posted on January 12, 2015 by marleen

Here at Maps and the City, we are a huge fan of map inspired fashion. Look at this great example: this scarf is Dutch design by Studio Geanne. The design is called ‘Ingepolderd’, paying tribute to the Dutch habit of impoldering (creating polders). The fabric is produced in California and the scarfs are made in the Dutch city The Hague.

The scarf only costs 55 euros: Go for it!

Dutch Map Cushions

Posted on October 17, 2014 by marleen

Looking for something new in your interior? What about these great cushions by B/aR, by Dutch graphic designer Barbara Smit. Various maps of the Netherlands (for example maps of the water, forest or construction density) form the base for these colourful cushions. Check out her website for more info. I think they are a great addition of some map fun in your interior without going completely map nut.

Map of Amsterdam Museums

Posted on September 12, 2014 by marleen

Well, here is a nice mash-up: see my personal interest meeting my job. Quite a nice map for a cartogeek who works in the museum industry in Amsterdam. Amsterdamtips.com published this metro style map of museums in Amsterdam. As you can see on the central line, the Allard Pierson Museum is on it. In the next edition they should add the Special Collections right next to it (especially because of the huge map collection there ).