The MAP’D Project (pronounced mapped) is a creative journey and a platform for passion projects, community, and storytelling. An acronym for Multimedia, Art, Partnerships, & Design, The MAP’D Project is where creativity becomes the compass for self-expression and purposeful living. Just as explorers chart new territories, we help individuals and communities navigate their unique journeys, creating personalized “maps” for the lives they envision. Through creative expression, we blaze trails, uncovering the landmarks of our passions and dreams.

“The MAP’D Project aims to uplift and empower.”

Arlene Basilio, the creator of The MAP’D Project, was born in the Philippines and raised in Northern Virginia. Although first and foremost, a student of life, Arlene also studied various art mediums, graphic design, and is currently an Art Director at a non-profit that amplifies the voices of youth activists.

She first started The MAP’D Project during a time where she felt lost, stuck, and was seeking purpose. While incorporating illustrations of her Filipino culture and heritage, she expressed herself through art as a way to tell her story about her experiences as a woman of color while also navigating her healing journey. The MAP’D Project at the time was her way of creating her personal map.

“The best project you’ll ever work on is You and you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress.”

While sharing her stories, she was able to cross-paths with many individuals that had both similar yet unique experiences. Arlene blended her two passions, creating and helping people, and extended The MAP’D Project to her community as a way to inspire people to share their stories and use their voices in an impactful way.

Whether it’s crafting visual stories or designing tools to guide others, The MAP’D Project transforms life into an adventure, where every stroke of design is a step toward discovering and rediscovering oneself. At its heart, The MAP’D Project is dedicated to uplifting and empowering the stories of our communities – BIPOC individuals, those on the path of decolonizing mindsets, and people working to improve their mental health.

“We believe each story deserves to be mapped, celebrated, and shared as part of a collective journey toward healing and transformation.”

MAP’D
/map,d/ the “D” is subtle to represent an action taken
noun: Multimedia, Art, Peace, Design
Example: I created my own MAP’D.

verb: to create
Example: I MAP’D it.

* Hitchhike
/ˈhiCHˌhīk/
noun: a journey made by hitchhiking
verb: to collaborate with The MAP'D Project