Introducing Maps By Geoff
A different kind of map store 🤔
As I continue to build my YouTube and Substack communities, there’s something that I’ve been missing lately: cartography. Not just looking at maps, but actually making and designing maps that looks pretty and are fun and highlight places in unique ways. Maps that help tell a story using a unique piece of data. Or maps of places that don’t usually get maps. Or simply maps that show a place in a little bit of a different light.
Prior to my life as a YouTuber and Substacker (? not sure what the demonym is here), I worked as a professional cartographer. In fact, the reason why I even have a YouTube channel at all is because, through my boredom during COVID, I decided to start making a bunch of weird maps where I would then post them on Reddit. That eventually led to wanting to create animations and stories behind the maps I was creating. The rest is, as we say, history.
But this isn’t just a normal map store.
Let’s face it. Map stores are a dime a dozen these days. You can basically find a map of any place you want in a dozen different styles. In fact, for a long time I was partnered with Muir Way. It was fine and they’re a great company. But I felt like there was a need for something a little different maybe? Something where the maps themselves were just as temporal as the geography we study.
So, here’s the difference: Every other Tuesday or Friday (to be released with a video on YouTube) I’ll launch a new map featuring whatever place is highlighted in the video. At that point, a countdown begins. You’ll have 28 days (4 weeks) or until 100 copies are sold to buy one. After 28 days (or if 100 copies are sold) the map is gone. No more will be sold. The map won’t ever be available again. It’s gone and done.
All maps are designed and made by me. There’s no contractors. There’s no AI involved. It’s just me, ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Illustrator, and usually some fun piece of data I’ve found.
In this way, those who really resonate with a map or place can feel like they have something that’s unique.
There’s more information on the website if you’re interested. So go check that out when you can.
The first two maps are available now! One for tomorrow’s video about Puerto Rico and another highlighting the U.S. state of New Jersey from a couple weeks back. If either interest you, just be sure to buy before their respective times run out or if 100 copies are sold.
I have literally no idea if 100 people will buy something I make! But the goal here isn’t to sell 100 of anything really, it’s to give me an excuse to make fun and pretty maps again. I’m just happy I have a place to do that. ðŸ¤
Feel free to ask any questions here, I’m happy to answer.
What are the dimensions of the maps?
The scarcity model here is genuinely clever. Its one thing to sell limited edition prints but making them actually disappear after the window closes creates real urgency without feeling manipulative. The temporal constraint probablyhelps with your creative process too since you know theres a defined end point. I run a small online shop and the paradox of choice is real when everything is always available.