Use Color to Great Effect
Drawing on maps isn’t just a matter of pointing to landmarks or references on a page. It’s a creative activity that allows you to use color, shape, and symbolism to evoke an emotion or envision a place. Experiment with hues, saturation, textures to increase the impact of your drawing. Add vibrant yellows and oranges to represent energy, blues and greens for an aquatic aesthetic, or a deep red to evoke romance. However you choose to approach it, color is essential to giving your map a distinct personality.
Let Shapes Be Your Guide
Add cartoons, scribbles, and designs to enhance your map. Use abstract shapes to break the grid-like structure of the map and bring it to life. Shapes can be used to make abstract references to the surrounding area or pop culture. For instance, you can draw a flower shape over a park, put a hexagonal shape to reference a honeycomb, or a smiley face as a reference to a well-known lake. Let your imagination run wild and be creative with shapes to give your map a unique flavor.
Brand Your Map
A great way to add flair to your map is to give it a brand or logo. You can make use of the map’s existing elements and add text or graphics to personalize it. Your brand can be as simple as your name or as complex as you like. It helps to create a consistent style and tone throughout your map. For instance, if you’re drawing a general map of a city, you can add the city’s name in a script font with a watermark graphic.
Add Symbols to Tell a Story
Adding symbols to your map is an easy way to add visual cues to tell a story or give context. These can be as simple as a heart for a favorite spot or an arrow for directions. They can also provide more sophisticated clues. For instance, a lightning bolt could reference a museum or a key for a site of historical importance. Using symbols can help to make your map more engaging and informative.
Focus On Functionality
It’s important to remember to make your map functional as well as decorative. As you draw, keep in mind its original purpose – to be used as a reference. Add labels that are clear and legible. If you’re making a map of a city, include street names and landmarks. If you’re making a map of a country, include city names, borders, and major highways. Make sure your map is readable and easy to understand.
Make It Fun and Be Creative
Your map doesn’t have to be serious and realistic. Have some fun and get creative with it! Make a map of an imaginary country or storybook world. Make a map of a fantasy realm or a planet in a future universe. The possibilities are endless. Allow your creativity to take hold and see where it takes you.
Use Your Imagination and Let It Shine
Making a map can be an enjoyable and creative experience. Let your imagination run wild and use it to your advantage. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, shapes, and symbols. Craft the map to your own vision, and don’t be afraid to show off your creativity. In the end you’ll have a unique map full of imagination and personality.
