Custom Map Illustration Commissions: From First Conversation to Finished Artwork
Maps have always told stories.
Whether it's the route to your favourite beach, the streets where you grew up, a bustling market town, or a collection of meaningful places connected by memories, a bespoke illustrated map captures far more than geography. It captures emotion, history and personality.
As an illustrator based in Suffolk, I create hand-drawn map illustrations for businesses, tourism organisations, weddings, events and private clients across the UK. Every commission is completely bespoke, carefully researched and designed to reflect the unique character of a place.
If you've never commissioned an illustrated map before, here's exactly how the process works.
Why choose an illustrated map instead of a standard map?
Traditional maps are designed for navigation. Illustrated maps are designed for storytelling.
Rather than simply showing roads and buildings, a commissioned map can highlight landmarks, local businesses, favourite cafés, wildlife, architecture and hidden gems. It helps people connect emotionally with a place while making information engaging and memorable.
Illustrated maps are commonly used for:
Visitor attractions
Historic towns and villages
Wedding venues
Festivals and events
Tourism campaigns
Walking and cycling routes
Local businesses
Universities and campuses
Hotels and holiday accommodation
Family keepsakes
Anniversary and wedding gifts
Every map is created specifically for its intended audience and purpose.
Step 1: We start with a conversation
Every project begins by discussing your ideas.
We'll talk about:
Who the map is for
How it will be used
Which locations need to be included
Whether you'd like people, wildlife or landmarks featured
The overall style and feel
Timescales and budget
Some clients arrive with detailed plans, while others simply have an idea they'd like to explore. Both are absolutely fine.
Step 2: Research and gathering references
Great illustrated maps are built on research.
Depending on the project, I may use:
Existing maps
Site plans
Aerial photography
Your photographs
My own photography
Historical references
Brand guidelines
Local knowledge
For many commissions, I also visit the location to better understand the atmosphere, colours and character that make the place unique.
Step 3: Planning the layout
Before any final artwork begins, I create a composition that balances both beauty and usability.
This involves deciding:
The orientation of the map
Scale
Placement of landmarks
How people will read the artwork
Areas for titles, labels or logos
Visual flow around the page
This stage ensures the finished illustration feels clear without becoming overcrowded.
Step 4: Creating the illustration
Once the layout is approved, I begin illustrating.
Every project is different, but this typically involves creating:
Buildings
Streets
Coastlines
Rivers
Parks
Trees
Local landmarks
Wildlife
Icons
Decorative elements
My aim is always to balance accuracy with personality, creating artwork that is both informative and beautiful enough to frame.
Step 5: Feedback and refinements
Collaboration is an important part of every commission.
Once you've reviewed the artwork, we'll make any agreed amendments before finalising the design.
This might include:
Adjusting colours
Adding missing landmarks
Updating labels
Refining details
Improving readability
The goal is for the finished map to feel completely personal to your project.
Step 6: Final artwork delivery
When everything is approved, I'll prepare the artwork for its intended use.
Depending on your project, this could include files for:
Professional printing
Websites
Social media
Leaflets
Signage
Visitor guides
Presentations
I'll make sure the artwork is supplied in the appropriate format and resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you create maps anywhere in the UK?
Yes. Although I'm based in Suffolk, I work with clients across the UK and can create maps for virtually any location using research, photography and reference material.
Do you create maps for businesses?
Absolutely.
I've worked with organisations/clients to create engaging illustrations that communicate places in a much more memorable way than standard mapping.
Can illustrated maps be used for weddings?
Yes.
Wedding maps are becoming increasingly popular for invitations, welcome packs and signage. They help guests navigate while becoming a beautiful keepsake after the day itself.
Can you include buildings, landmarks and local businesses?
Yes.
Every commission is bespoke, so the content is tailored entirely to your project.
Why commission a bespoke map?
Illustrated maps do much more than help people find their way.
They encourage visitors to explore, celebrate local identity and create lasting memories. Whether you're promoting a destination, launching a new development or creating a meaningful gift, a custom map becomes something people genuinely enjoy looking at.
Unlike digital maps, illustrated maps have personality. They tell stories, spark conversations and become artwork in their own right.
Looking for a custom map illustrator?
If you're planning a tourism project, creating a visitor guide, celebrating a special place or simply have an idea you'd like to explore, I'd love to hear about it.
Every commission starts with a conversation, and together we can create an illustrated map that's informative, engaging and completely unique to your project.
You can find out more about my illustration work and enquire about commissions here:
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