Blue Crow Media

Blue Crow Media operates as an independent publisher specializing in thoughtfully designed and expertly researched city maps and guides. Founded in 2009 by Derek Lamberton, the London-based company initially focused on food and drink-oriented city maps and apps. A significant pivot occurred in 2015 when the firm began publishing architectural guide maps, a move that now defines its core identity.

Lamberton's background as a journalist and editor, with experience at publications like National Geographic's website and reporting for the Yomiuri Shimbun, informs the company's editorial rigor. His fascination with maps was sparked by his family's frequent moves and his mother's work at National Geographic. This personal history, combined with his studies in Russian literature, underpins the publisher's mission to uncover and celebrate often overlooked or underappreciated aspects of urban landscapes. The transition to architectural maps was inspired by a perceived lack of quality information on architectural styles like late modernism in London.

The business model centers on the direct sale of physical products, including maps, books, and calendars, to consumers. Revenue is generated through sales via its own website and a global network of independent bookshops, museum shops, and design stores. This distribution strategy was built from the ground up, starting with direct relationships with cafes for the initial food and drink guides and expanding to a broader retail network for the architectural publications. The company's products appeal to tourists, locals, architects, designers, and urban explorers.

Blue Crow Media's flagship products are its architectural city guides. These two-sided maps are noted for their high-quality design and printing on recycled, FSC-certified paper. One side features a geographical map pinpointing locations of architectural interest, while the reverse provides photographs and detailed notes for each featured building. The maps cover a wide range of themes, including Brutalism, Art Deco, Modernism, and Constructivism, in cities from London and New York to Tokyo and Moscow. Beyond specific movements, the publisher has expanded into maps covering public transport systems, such as the London Underground, and even urban nature with a series on great trees in major cities.

Keywords: architectural maps, city guides, independent publisher, urban exploration, Brutalist architecture, design maps, Derek Lamberton, London publisher, niche publishing, cartography, Art Deco guides, modernism, travel guides, sustainable printing, museum shops, cultural maps, city exploration, architectural tourism, concrete architecture, public transport design