Maproom has issued a new map of the EU after the United Kingdom leaves. Customers who purchased the previous EU map will find the new one in the bundle available on their original download link. This time we have issued the map in two colour stylings, one using the EU's dark blue, with the EU flag in the corner of the map; the other more restful tones. Ready to use PDFs and PNGs are in the package. Designers using Adobe Illustrator or other vector artwork software will be able to style the colours and all other elements however they please. Get the new EU map. The EU map is also included in the general Europe maps with country outlines for a modest extra cost. ... Read more
Displaying Shetland in a box on maps is now banned by law on official documents. Seriously.
Today a new law brought by the Islands (Scotland) Bill has come into force to ban public bodies from using maps that display Shetland in a box rather than in its natural geographic position 150 miles north of the Scottish mainland. The BBC article about the law, instigated by Islands Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott and supported by many who live on the Shetland Islands, uses a version of Maproom's Outline Map of Scotland to illustrate the news item. Now, whilst we are delighted to spot one of our maps getting a lot of attention, we want to point out that this map and most of our other Scotland and UK maps have always offered designers the option on whether to show Scotland in its accurate geographical position or in an inset box. Shetland in its natural position puts a lot of sea on the map, with mainland Scotland taking up only half the available space Shetland in a box is a more efficient use of space – but this is now BANNED on official documents With a ... Read more
Our London base map used in BBC drama Bodyguard
Maproom has signed a number of release forms for TV production companies in recent years, and we were pleased to spot our London Street Map being used to good effect in the new BBC series Bodyguard last night. Our map appears in a scene in which actor Gina McKee, playing Commander Anne Sampson of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, has a team tracking a terrorist cell online whilst police race through South London to try to stop the terrorists reaching a school. The production team used one of our base map versions then added some moving coloured dots to signify the police car and terrorists' van moving down Brixton Road. The Bodyguard series is so far displaying itself a tightly woven fiction using many real locations, real BBC newscasters, and plausible events that echo the kind of real terrorist attacks we've experienced in the UK over the past decade. The tension ratcheting up in the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 made for compelling viewing, ... Read more
Maps for travel guide to islands in the River Thames
Carl Goes London Islands cover Maproom recently had the pleasure of providing map bases for a delightful new travel guide in the creative and distinctive Carl Goes series. The book, called Carl Goes London Islands, tells stories of the islands and islanders of the River Thames. With Maproom's parent company being Thameside Media, the River Thames is close to our studio literally and in our hearts. Not only that, we also have a special interest in travel guides, having published many ourselves over two decades (though never specifically for the Thames). Thus we were delighted to oblige when Sascha Mengerink, the Netherlands-based publisher of the Carl Goes series, asked Maproom if we could provide detailed map bases of the Thames Valley showing all the islands set within the River Thames between the mouth of the river at Canvey Island in Essex upriver through central London to the tiny eyots and aits in the Thames in Surrey and Berkshire. We were able to oblige with map bases ... Read more
China is now censoring world maps
It has been brought to our attention that Chinese authorities are now subjecting world maps to a process of verification to ensure they conform to China's sovereignty claims. For example, the depiction of disputed territories such as Taiwan and islands in the South China Sea and gas fields in the East China Sea must conform to Beijing's official view. Map projection, affecting the size of China in comparison with the rest of the world, is also under scrutiny. These restrictions affect all products sold in China, including maps on merchandise and within books, and they also affect maps printed in China on products destined for markets outside of China. The latter are now being impounded at Chinese customs whilst the authorities examine their origination and design. Consequences for products deemed to violate Chinese sovereignty may include fines and the order for companies to withdraw and destroy products. Recent cases include Gap being forced to apologise for selling T-shirts ... Read more
Using Google Maps or Mapbox: a comparison for building interactive maps
At Maproom we are always trying out different map systems to see if we can harness any digital mapping innovations in our own products and services. An online mapping system called Mapbox has been a rival to Google Maps for some years, though it it still barely known outside the mapmaking/geocoding community. We decided to create some demos of Google Maps and Mapbox to help our clients understand how these digital mapping systems can be used in business and online mapping projects. How to create a basic single marker Google map First up: Google Maps. We're all familiar with these as the most ubiquitous maps on the web. You can add your business to Google Maps using Google's free business listing facility. It's also pretty easy to embed a single location map on any website using Google Maps's built-in embed code. For example, this location map for the Houses of Parliament in London: To make one of the basic Google maps as shown above, you simply type your location into ... Read more