Articles about making decorative maps
Have a question about creating decorative or fantasy maps? Click here to send Philip your question.
Do you want to learn more about decorative compass roses? Would you like to be inspired by other decorative maps? Do you need ideas for symbols on your maps? If so, read some of the articles below. I'll be adding more articles in the future, so be sure to check back from time to time.
All the articles on this page are listed in no particular order. I have grouped them into categories to help you find things you would be interested in.
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Compass Rose
Antique Compass RosesCompare compass rose designs, see examples, and get design ideas
Compass Rose DesignsCompare compass rose designs, see examples, and get design ideas
Modern Compass RosesCompare compass rose designs, see examples, and get design ideas
Map Design
How To Make A MapLearn how to make a map using hand drawing, digital drawing, and GIS techniques
Map Design PrinciplesDiscover how good map design uses the ideas of C-R-A-P... Contrast, Repitition, Alignment, and Proximity
Use Negative Space In Maps To Add Visual InterestNegative space can focus the viewer's attention on the map purpose, or distract from it when used incorrectly
Map Design - What Makes A Great MapDiscover how good map design incorporates color, projection, shape, lettering, ornamentation, and symbolism to support a map's purpose and create a sense of geographic place
Map MaterialsWhat are materials you need to start making maps? Compare digital to hand-drawn
Map Ornament And EmbellishmentAdd distinct character and lively design to your maps by using these ideas for ornament and embellishment
Map Projection And Orientation - The Artistic SideMany sites tell you what a map projection is and how they are done, I look at the artistic side of how projections and orientation (north up?) affect map design
Map Software
Map Types
Types Of Maps - Pictorial And DecorativeDiscover the many types of pictorial and decorative maps and how decoration and embellishment add to their geographic message
Map Texture
Make Your Oceans Lively With TextureFind out how oceans are a great opportunity to create lively texture on maps
Use Texture In Maps To Add Visual InterestWhat makes old and antique maps so enjoyable to look at often is their use of texture. Here are some ideas...
Map Symbols
Map Symbol FormsCreate map symbol forms that best fits your map design... geometric or organic... pictorial or abstract
Map Symbols For Buildings And CitiesLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing buildings and cities
Map Symbols For Farm And Pastoral LifeLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing aspects of farm and pastoral life
Map Symbols For Field FeaturesLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing field features such as forests, crops, and grass
Map Symbols For Line Features Such As Roads, Railways, And BoundariesLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing line features such as roads, railways, and boundaries
Map Symbols For MountainsLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing mountains
Map Symbols For River FeaturesLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing river features such as waterfalls, swamp, and marsh
Map Symbols For TreesLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing trees
Principles Of Good Symbol DesignRead about the steps for designing symbols for maps
Principles Of Good Symbol DesignRead about principles that make good symbol design for maps
Map Symbols For Cities - Erwin RaiszLearn techniques and find examples of Erwin Raisz's map symbols representing cities, old and new methods
Map Symbols For Mountains - Erwin RaiszLearn techniques and find examples of Erwin Raisz's map symbols representing mountains
Map Symbols For Physical Geography Features - Raisz's PhysiographyLearn techniques and find examples of Erwin Raisz's map symbols representing physiography (physical geography) of the landscape
Map Symbols For Water Features Such As Rivers And Lakes - Erwin RaiszLearn techniques and find examples of Erwin Raisz's map symbols representing water features of rivers, lakes, etc.
Map Symbols For Roads, Rail, And Boundaries - Erwin RaiszLearn techniques and find examples of Erwin Raisz's map symbols representing roads, rail, and boundaries
Map Symbols For Natural And Man-Made FeaturesLearn techniques and find examples of map symbols representing natural and man-made features... the topography of the map
Map Lettering
Map Lettering For Oceans - Font Style, Size, WeightDiscover about good map lettering of oceans incorporating font style, size, weight, placement, and direction
Map Lettering - Font Style, Size, WeightDiscover how good map lettering incorporates font style, size, and weight to make effective labels
Map Analysis
Map Analysis - Map Of France As A ShipEnglish anti-French Revolution propaganda map of France as a ship
Map Analysis - Gutiérrez's Map Of Americae (1562)Map analysis break down of how color, texture, lettering, ornamentation, and shape combine to make Gutiérrez's Americae an effective map
Map Analysis - Erwin Raisz's Map of the Lower NileMap analysis break down of how color, texture, lettering, ornamentation, and shape combine to make Raisz's Map of the Lower Nile an effective map
Map Analysis - Erwin Raisz's Vegetation Map of Modern PalestineMap analysis break down of how color, texture, lettering, ornamentation, and shape combine to make Raisz's Vegetation Map of Modern Palestine a great map
Map Analysis - Rapkin's Map Of Egypt, 1851Map analysis break down of how color, texture, lettering, ornamentation, and shape combine to make Rapkin's 1851 Map Of Egypt an effective map
Map Analysis - Tavernier's Description Du Pays Armorique A Pres Bretaigne (1594)Map analysis break down of how color, texture, lettering, ornamentation, and shape combine to make Tavernier's Description Du Pays Armorique A Pres Bretaigne an effective map
Map Analysis - Carte de la partie de la Virginie...Map analysis break down of how color, texture, lettering, ornamentation, and shape combine to make Carte de lat partie de la Virginie an effective map
What Makes A Great Decorative Map?Map analysis of how color, texture, lettering, ornamentation, and shape combine to make great, decorative maps
Map Artists
Map Artist - Taige Zhang - Wellingtons Travel Co.Interview with Taige Zhang from Wellingtons Travel Company, maker of the historic-inspired Grand Map of London.
Michael Karpovage - Digital Map DesignerMichael Karpovage is a designer, map illustrator, and novelist. He makes wonderful 3D panoramic maps full of rich detail. Read an interview with Michael and see examples from his Savannah Historic District Map and Erie Canal Map
Richard Edes Harrison - Map Artist And CartographerRead about Richard Edes Harrison and see examples of his works
Elmer And Berta Hader - Map ArtistsRead about Elmer and Berta Hader and see examples of their work
Mike Reagan - Map ArtistRead about Mike Reagan and see examples of his works
J P Pinchon - Map ArtistRead about J P Pinchon and see examples of his maps
Ruth Taylor White - Map ArtistRead about Ruth Taylor White and see examples of her works
Map Artists And CartographersRead about map artists and see examples of their works
Mapping data
Mapping Data For Decorative MapsWhere do you get mapping data to make a great map? Here are some choices for hand drawn maps and mapping software...