Visual information in illustrated city maps

Abstract

Illustrated maps are a common means of conveying visual information but they are all treated as a whole. To set boundaries to the research it treats the problem of illustrated maps in the context of a city. Such maps, also called pictorial maps, differ in the way of presenting visual information depending on the function they perform. However, there is no official classification in this topic. The research covers information about pictorial maps history, designing visual information and analysing a range of modern illustrated maps. The objective of the first part is to understand how illustrated maps developed and how and why they are now separate from technical maps. It also shows how every map which cannot be classified as a topographical map is automatically a pictorial one. Then, the second part concerning designing visual information is to investigate general design rules that relate to presenting places, bigger city areas and one’s position in relation to their surroundings visually – which is what maps are used for in general. And finally, the purpose of the third part is to analyse modern illustrated maps, using the findings from the previous chapters, in order to show differences between pictorial maps serving different functions. They mainly differ in what is the key information to convey, which means diverse design problems and solutions. Factual information and research works strictly concerning the topic of illustrated maps are not easy to find and the topic needs to be explored further. One of the few rich sources of information is a book by John Roman called The Art of Illustrated Maps: A Complete Guide to Creative Mapmaking’s History, Process and Inspiration which was the base of the research for this project. Another consequence of the general lack of the exploration of the topic is the personal choice of analysed pictorial maps and, in effect, observed functions. The whole matter of illustrated maps cannot be exhausted in only one project. But the goal of this work is to provide a proposition of possible classification in the area of creative mapmaking.