Frequently Asked Questions
Is this map based on the London Tube Map?
No, this map is an entirely original design by me, starting from a rough scribble using different coloured Stablio pens, and evolving over several variations. The map is not based on London or its tube map, nor is it the London tube map with stations named after people, which tends to be the first thought (there’s enough of these tube maps as it is, and that sort of thing can be done in an hour on MS Paint.)
The city above the lines/tracks is totally visualised in my head, in some cases right down to the street geography. It is a completely fantasy city.
There is certainly a lot of inspiration from the London Underground when it comes to the design features of the map, however the map is actually just as inspired by the Paris Metro as it is by the London Underground - certainly when I first scribbled it out back in 2012.
Where’s South Kensington on the map/Is that the Victoria Line?
Once again, the map has nothing to do with London. There is no ‘South Kensington’ (though an area in St. Jacques is indeed similar to South Kensington - you can find a lot of museums in Robotham).
And again - the lines are actually numbered rather than outright named, though each line has an official nickname shown in the key. So the light blue line isn’t the Victoria Line, it is Line 13 (Simba Line). The dark blue line isn’t the Piccadilly line, it’s Line 2.
(There is a Tottenham Court Road station… only because that name has stuck with me since my early childhood).
Do I have a station?
If I have met you after September 2012, and I have had several conversations with you (real life or online), you are almost certainly on the map. I’ve tried to put everyone from my Chemistry course in (bar one person).
I may have missed you out. Don’t worry, there’s still space. If you don’t have a station and think you warrant a space, feel free to message me, and if I accept, I will decide a spot for you. The station will likely be pencilled in for some time before confirmed in pen.
Where am I on the map?
If you scroll up, there is a bullet-point list of groups of people and where their stations can be found on the map.
I can't find my station anywhere!
Send me a message and I’ll tell you where the station is.
Why am I in a particular place on the map?
Stations for people are placed in groups, from where I have met them. For example, baseballers have an area, colleagues have another area.
Some stations were named or placed because of the bus network (yes, there is a bus network in St. Jacques, who the hell do you think I am?). The explanations are complicated… but if you’re intrigued…
Why am I so far away from the centre?
The map began in 2012, and naturally many of the first stations added were in the centre. I don’t particularly like moving stations around so they have remained there ever since. If I met you before 2015 you are more likely to be in the centre.
Just because you are not in the centre doesn’t mean very much. Central St. Jacques is stunning but so is the city outside of the central area. Just like London, there is just as much interest in the out of the centre as there is in the centre. As a Londoner, I don't go into Central London all that often as there's much to keep me interested out of Zone 1. Also, stations on the east side of the map are near or at beaches. The Maute area (South) and Tropical area (North-East) are also centres in their own right.
Someone I know was a little disappointed with where his station was placed - he wanted to be placed in the centre (I wouldn’t want to do this as it would be away from his group ultimately). His station is near the end of a line, but on what is a beautiful island, by a stunning beach. I would consider that a very good space on the map!
Why is my station name in pencil?
Station names in pen are completely confirmed and will not change position or name. If I plan to change a station’s name and/or position, it will be in pencil until the final decision has been made.
I don’t like my station name or placement.
If it is in pen, I can’t change it. Sorry. I’m not tippexing anything or cutting little bits of paper to stick over old names anymore. It could potentially be moved in the computer version, however I'd rather keep both maps consistent.
What sort of area does my station serve? What landmarks are there in my area?
Ask me - I’ll let you know.
Why is my cat on the map?/I don’t own a cat…?!
St. Jacques is the capital city of a country where cats form a major part of the culture. Akin to ancient Egypt and how they revered cats. Indeed, much like Istanbul, cats that are well cared for roam the streets of the city, and are very much a tourist attraction.
A station named as such: ‘xxx’s Cat’… such as Kerry’s Cat or Dean’s Cat, is in honour of the cat culture - it is a station for you and not your cat.
These names came about from a station on the DAOS map, and incorporated here.
A few people which have stations named as such are known to really like cats or own many of them.
Three cats do have stations on the map - all of them my cats.
Why do you keep redrawing the map?
Simple answer - because it is fun! And also, because the map needed evolving.
If you flick through versions 1 to 5, you can clearly see the evolution of the map, and the fine-tuning of my methods of drawing the map. Version 1 is extremely crude, improving immensely by the time Version 5 is reached. See below for the story of the map.
Will you be drawing another version in the future?
Almost certainly not, unless you can think of a new transport mode that I haven't included on this version (Elon Musk-esque craziness will not be on the map, by the way). I’m very happy with it and don’t think it needs any further changes. Then again, this is what I said about Version 4 almost 6 years ago...
I want to focus on a new metro map for DAOS next, and perhaps some commissions if someone wants me to do something similar for them (Discalimer: I won’t be designing anything for anyone with 49 lines, far too much work, unless for a hefty price haha!)
Have you ever completely removed a station that belonged to someone?
Only a very, very, very tiny number of people (that I personally know) have had their station removed. You have to really, really wrong me to get your station excised from the map!
Why are some stations coloured red or grey on the digital map?
Stations in grey are not named after people, and are likely to be removed and renamed - to allow more space for people. These stations were on the map early on - when I was trying to pad the map up with more stations at the beginning.
Stations in red are this way for two reasons:- (1) These stations may be renamed as the place name has not been finalised; (2) These stations may move elsewhere on the map.
My station is on the digital map but not on the hand-drawn map/My station is black on the digital map but in pencil on the hand-drawn map. Why?
The maps aren't really in sync on the website. The photo of the hand-drawn map is from April 2021, whilst the latest copy of the digital map is from December 2021. I tend to take a little more time to 'confirm' stations on the map (add them in pen) rather than on the computer. Bear in mind I am trying to get the hand-drawn map scanned so I can process it into a high quality image - there have been quite a few confirmations since April 2021.
Will you be creating a new version of the digital map in the future?
Maybe... there are a few flaws I find with the digital map - mainly the east side being slightly more spaced out than the west side. Also, the zone 1 shape is quite wonky (as the zones were added later on after the lines and stations were placed). I may attempt another version which looks neater - but time is scarce these days as more things open up. A new digital map is far more likely than a new hand-drawn map.
I would like to buy a copy of the map.
I know some people are interested in owning a copy of the map. I will eventually have folded maps for both the hand-drawn and digital map up for sale (I doubt anyone would want a large poster printed of the map, but you never know). The hand-drawn map will need to be scanned first so I can combine each separate piece of paper seamlessly. The digital map will require some changes - the index of station needs to be added, all stations are to be shown in black text. I will also need to remove the National Rail symbol from the map and design a new logo as it is a copyrighted symbol. I may have to also change the font from TfL's Johnston font to Gill Sans MT (the text shown on this website) as I am unsure if I can use the TfL Johnston font on items I will be selling.
I would love to offer the map for sale though to those interested - watch this space!
I would love my own map.
I have already drawn a map for one of my friends, and I know there is a lot of interest. I might be interested in commissions - drawing you a custom map (hand-drawn always looks more personable). Let me know a plan and I'll see if I could do it for you. What would help would be drawing a rough version on the Beno Map Creator first.
Your website looks awful.
I want to design a decent looking, interactive website for the digital map - paired with the bus network (yes, of course there is a bus network - I indeed have a list of routes!). This simple text website is enough for the time being to present one image, but I will have a proper, functional website in the coming months (yes, with an SSL certificate, Paul, promise!)
