Illustrating Maps
For the 21st Century
About Terra Naviga
TERRA NAVIGA is a creative studio specialising in the development of multimedia travel information tools that integrate cultural, historical, and touristic content with handcrafted illustrated 3D maps. We are the original creators and owners of digital platforms that deliver a distinctive exploration experience, driven by an exceptional attention to detail and a deep commitment to shaping compelling visual cultural identities for major travel destinations.
Our maps are more than art—they provide a 45-degree perspective of real topography, with accurate, scaled representations of streets, landmarks, and points of interest. Designed for both visitors and locals, they make navigation intuitive, engaging, and enjoyable. They also highlight cultural landmarks, museums, and other essential sites, offering a complete guide to the city.
We accept commissions for custom map design, tailored to urban centres, historic districts, or wider regions. Our maps can be created for private, commercial, or municipal use, combining topographical accuracy with artistic flair. In addition, we offer licensing and adaptation of existing maps for print, digital platforms, or special products, making it easy to integrate Terra Naviga maps into your project, marketing, or visitor experience.
Our Creative Process
Creating a Terra Naviga map is meticulous and time-intensive, combining traditional techniques with modern tools. Key stages include:
* Exploration & Survey: Walking the streets, photographing, sketching, and filming the area for precise topographical accuracy.
* Pencil Drafting: Integrating all information into the first detailed map design.
* Inking: Locking in the lines and preparing for colouring.
* Colouring: Using watercolours, inks, and other media to bring the map to life, guiding the viewer’s focus.
* Digital Finishing: Scanning, refining, labelling, and preparing the map for print, special editions, or digital platforms.

The result is a visually stunning, highly accurate map that is both a practical guide and a work of art.
About the Author
Epameinondas Kaiafas, author and owner of Terra Naviga is a self-educated master designer, illustrator, sculptor, and painter, born in 1973 in the picturesque city of Volos, in central Greece, nestled in the mythical shadow of Mount Pelion. From an early age, he demonstrated a deep fascination with all aspects of the visual arts, cultivating a passion that would shape his entire career.
Despite never having the opportunity to follow a formal academic curriculum in fine arts, he became a self-taught visual artist, dedicating countless hours to mastering drawing, painting, and sculptural techniques. His work reflects a rare combination of precision, topographical accuracy, and artistic vision, drawing inspiration from the rigorous methods of historical master cartographers and illustrators.
He has worked in graphic design for over 27 years—eight of those as an employee in a professional studio and the last fifteen as the founder and lead artist of his own creative studio. Over this time, he has honed his craft to become a recognised expert in handmade illustrated maps, bringing cities to life with meticulous detail and a unique artistic sensibility.
Each map he creates is the result of immense focus, careful observation, and unwavering commitment—transforming urban landscapes into visually stunning, navigable works of art that capture both their geography and their spirit.


crosschevron-down