West Philadelphia

I love illustrating maps every now and then. The challenge is to get the map correct (more or less) while adding nice little details to make it fun. For this map of West Philadelphia I first had to get a feel for this place I have never been to. Luckily there’s Google street view to explore a place you’ve never been to. You can find this map in EXEL magazine (published by Drexel University). Thanks to Pentagram Austin for bringing me in on this, Art Direction by Stu Taylor.

Drexel university campus. Illustration by Axel Pfaender.
Pigeons. Illustration by Axel Pfaender for Pentagram.
Row houses of West Philadelphia. Illustration by Axel Pfaender for Pentagram.
Illustrated map of West Philadelphia. Illustration by Axel Pfaender.
Spread of Exel magazine by Drexel university, with illustrated map of West Philadelphia. Illustration by Axel Pfaender.
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