9 Great Illustrators Who (Also) Make Maps
admired by Nate Padavick
In the vibrant world of illustration, a select group of artists masterfully blend cartography with creativity, illustrating maps that are as informative as they are visually captivating.
Nate Padavick, a renowned map illustrator himself, has had the privilege of meeting many of these talented individuals—all of which he greatly admires. Each artist brings a unique style to their map-making, resulting in a diverse array of works that transform geographical representations into pieces of art. In this article, Nate celebrates nine exceptional illustrators who have elevated map-making to new artistic heights.
1) Martin Haake
Martin Haake is a Berlin-based German illustrator known for his whimsical, detail-rich style. He draws inspiration from surrealism, outsider art, and 1950s children’s books, creating charming visual stories that hide little surprises everywhere. His work has earned international recognition, including a D&AD Yellow Pencil, and he’s worked for clients like The New York Times and Airbnb. Martin plays with scale in such a fun way.
SEE MARTIN’S WEBSITE
2) James Gulliver Hancock
James Gulliver Hancock is a playful and prolific illustrator from Sydney, Australia. He’s best known for his “All the Buildings In” series, where he draws iconic cityscapes with personality and charm. His client list spans the globe, and his work ranges from editorial to publishing to transit systems, always infused with an energetic observational style. James fills his map with expressive hand-drawn type and lots of hidden details.
SEE JAMES’S WEBSITE
3) Isabel Valfigueira
Based in Lisbon, Isabel Valfigueira is a freelance illustrator specializing in hand-drawn maps, architecture, animals, and nature scenes. Her work blends traditional media such as pen, ink, and watercolor. With a background in architecture, she brings precision and storytelling to her maps, giving each piece a warm, handcrafted feel. And, Isabel does it all by hand...with pens...on paper...incredible.
SEE ISABEL’S WEBSITE
4) Tom Woolley
Tom Woolley is a UK-based illustrator with more than a decade of experience creating 2D and 3D maps. He frequently works on projects for parks, campuses, travel destinations, and cultural institutions. His map work strikes a balance between clarity and charm, making complex places easy to navigate while still feeling lively and inviting. Not only are Tom’s map first class, but he is a super nice guy.
SEE TOM’S WEBSITE
5) Antoine Corbineau
Antoine Corbineau is a French illustrator known for his bold, vibrant, and highly textured compositions. Trained in both London and Strasbourg, he works across art, design, advertising, and editorial. His maps are layered with rich colors, inventive typography, and energetic storytelling, giving every scene a bustling, kaleidoscopic feel. The kaleidoscopic quality of Antoine’s maps is mesmerizing.
SEE ANTOINE’S WEBSITE
6) Lucie Rice
Lucie Rice is a freelance illustrator based in Indiana who specializes in illustrated maps and plans. Her style is clean, colorful, modern, and highly detailed. She has collaborated with major brands and publishers, creating maps that are both playful and purposeful, bringing places and landmarks to life. Lucie’s attention to detail is exceptional.
SEE LUCIE’S WEBSITE
7) Rod Hunt
Rod Hunt is a London-based illustrator known for his intricate, character-packed isometric maps. With more than 30 years of experience, he has created artwork for theme parks, festivals, campuses, and publishing. His work is filled with hidden gags and densely detailed scenes that invite viewers to zoom in, explore, and discover. No one can pull off an isometric map illustration like Rod.SEE ROD’S WEBSITE
8) Veronica Dall’Antonia
Veronica Dall’Antonia is an illustrator from Milan whose work centers on food, drink, lifestyle subjects, and occasionally maps. She works primarily in watercolor, bringing elegance, texture, and softness to her compositions. Her maps have a refined, inviting feel that blends her culinary sensibility with thoughtful place-based storytelling. Veronica’s watercolor style is truly glamorous.
SEE VERONICA’S WEBSITE
9) Nik Neves
Nik Neves is a Brazilian-born illustrator and graphic artist working between Porto Alegre and Berlin. His background includes studies in advertising, visual arts, and illustration across several countries. His map illustrations blend nostalgic influences with contemporary design, resulting in pieces that feel both classic and fresh. Nik’s maps are simultaneously retro/classic and modern/fresh.
VISIT NIK’S WEBSITE
And...don’t Forget about Nate Padavick
As an illustrator who specializes in map illustration, Nate probably shouldn’t show you all these other amazing map makers. Nate hopes you’ll consider him for your next map project, but if you’re looking for a different style, please do reach out to his colleagues!Do you have a map project on the horizon? Nate would love to hear from you!
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