Where the idea for a Wolverhampton 'underground' map came from - and how to get your own
'The next stop is Wolverhampton'.
A unique map suggesting what a Wolverhampton underground network could look like has been produced, so we asked its creators how they came up with the map.
A mother and daughter duo from Beverley in East Yorkshire have combined to produce maps of UK towns and cities but designed with a metro style.
Hannah Ewart and Ann Wriglesworth, a mother and daughter duo from Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire, started their business, Underdog Studio, in 2018.
One of their product lines is maps of UK towns and cities but designed with a metro style, including Wolverhampton.
Available for £2.49 in various sizes, and with extras such as a frame, the city's underground-style map features Molineux Stadium, the University of Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Art Gallery, Wightwick Manor, Tettenhall, Wergs, Bushbury, Castlecroft, Blakenhall, Station, and West Park.
Buyers also have the option to customise their map, and can make it personal by re-naming stations.
Underdog Studio now sells maps of more than 75 locations and won a small business award in 2020 from entrepreneur and former Dragon's Den star, Theo Paphitis, which Hannah said was: "A great boost to the business and really encouraged us to push and grow our range."
Hannah studied environmental science at university in Norwich and has a keen interest in maps and geography. The part-business owner explained where it all began.
She said: "We love design and art and came up with the concept of applying a metro style design to regular UK towns & cities.
"We're based in East Yorkshire so naturally started there and began to work our way outwards.
"We’ve tried to cover all the major cities but do sometimes find the most popular ones are the ones people don’t expect to see."
Underdog Studio also plans to expand their range and produce maps of other areas in the Midlands.
"We get lots and lots of requests for new locations and we're always looking to expand our range, but due to the detail of the maps they do take quite a long time to put together," Hannah added. "We absolutely have plans for Telford, Stafford, and Stoke-on-Trent but we always welcome suggestions.
"Birmingham has always been a best seller.
"We find that lots of people enjoy the maps because they can add their own custom station onto it which makes it a great gift, sometimes it's their favourite pub or the address of their student 'digs'."
Other locations include Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Aberystwyth and Coventry.
The map can be found at Underdog Studio.
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