From Big Ben to Big Apple

British cartoonist Daniel Rider, inspired by his “lifelong charm” for New York City, is on a mission to map out the city’s hottest spots through hand-drawn illustrations.

But here’s the catch—he’s asking New Yorkers for a bit of input.

For the past few days, Rider has been out and about, distributing cards and encouraging locals to share their favorite places to eat, drink, and explore the vibrant city. “The heart of this decision was I just wanted to go to New York and draw it,” Rider, who goes by “Angry Dan,” expressed. He’s eager to learn more.

His goal with this map is to serve as a nostalgic reminder for adults and showcase why, perhaps, New York is one of the most amazing places in the world.

Rider has named his project the “Wigley Windi Jigsaw,” where the best aspects of the city will be visually represented in a creative manner.

Interestingly, he started drawing when he was a child but paused after discovering he was color blind. It wasn’t until his 30s that he picked up a pencil again and hasn’t stopped since.

Last year, he completed his first map of London, a project that took him countless hours. To portray an area he wasn’t familiar with, he sought advice from hundreds of Londoners. This time in New York, however, he believes he’ll need even more help.

New Yorkers can provide input on their favorite pizza places, museums, buildings, parks, and scenic spots through his website. This way, he can capture those hidden gems that truly represent the city.

So far, locals have been quite willing to assist. On his first evening in New York, Rider visited a Midtown bar and had conversations with two New Yorkers about their top dining spots.

“They’ll likely get involved in the discussion about which Manhattan diners are tourist traps and which are the authentic cultural hubs,” Rider told others.

His initial love for New York ignited during a trip with a friend in his early 20s, and this visit is special because he is accompanied by his wife and young children.

He acknowledges that representing all five boroughs presents artistic hurdles; Manhattan is far denser than Staten Island and Queens, making a visual depiction quite challenging. Yet, “Angry Dan” remains undeterred.

“I had a dream about four nights ago. I imagined how I wanted to portray the southern tip of Manhattan and the angle I needed,” Rider shared, animatedly illustrating his vision.

He views this map as a way to give back to a city he adores, hoping that everyone will share in the joy it brings.

“Images,” he noted, “capture the endless possibilities of the city and the reasons we love living here.”

For further details, interested individuals can visit his website.