Streszczenie:
An interactive map is a map of an area in the form of a software application which provides a user with a set of information and requires interaction. This description is only a proposal for the definition of the term which is indistinct. Although interactive mapping is a relatively new sphere of graphic design it still adopts well-known methods: cartography, infographic, illustration, 3D modeling, and animation. Interactive maps can serve a variety of purposes, for example they can be more informative or more entertaining.
Interactive mapping provides an excellent combination of appealing visuals and clear content. Therefore it can be used as a tool for the promotion of tourist destinations. A city or a country can be presented using different illustrative approaches by setting up a recognizable style. Looking through the history of graphic design in tourism, we can see that one of the most successful tools of promotion for destinations was a travel poster. The posters themselves became collectibles and remain valuable both as advertising and artistic items. Attention and recognition are the main aspects of efficient promotion. Interactive maps have the potential to provide these qualities on a high level.
Interactive maps are just an evolution of illustrative maps which are not giving precise data or consistent information. Instead, they are sharing a unique vision of the creator, have a goal to provoke certain emotions or provide a vibe of the place. With illustrations, it is easy to highlight chosen objects and omit unneeded details based on the map’s purpose. The popularity of illustrative maps prove that a map is not just a tool for transferring information, but also a way to let our mind reconsider a space which we belong to.
A majority of interactive maps which can be found on the web are connected with tourism. They might present a tour company, an event or a particular place. Even if they provide users with data according to the topic, interactive maps are promoting these destinations and involving the viewer. Olympic games became a popular topic for graphic designers to show their skills by making interactive maps. For the purpose of this study, the creation of the interactive map for Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 will be used as an example.
Research shows that most graphic design projects for interactive maps are created using flat design which is easier to use for the web. Interactive map with flat 2D graphics can be done in editor programs, such as Adobe Animate, without much of coding while 3D interactive maps usually require special platforms and additional knowledge of coding. The challenge for the practical part of my project was to create an interactive map with flat 2D graphics using 3D modeling and the illusion of a 3D environment. The final project is a web page with illustrations, animations and responsive buttons with a short description of chosen places. The design serves as a map for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. The results of the work lead to the conclusion that interactive mapping is a useful tool for the promotion of a tourist destination, which is just starting to get its recognition. As a graphic design phenomenon, interactive mapping provides an interesting approach in both visual representation and content accessibility.
