BEHIND THE SCENES

If you’ve started looking for someone to help you with your map project, you’ve probably already spent weeks, maybe even months, thinking about it and have a pretty good idea of what you want. You may be looking for an illustrator, or you may be looking for a cartographer. But you may also simply know you need a map without really knowing who’s the right person to make it.

Whatever the brief is (a very illustrated tourist map, a detailed hiking map, a magazine feature…), I’ve learnt that the projects that work best rarely fit into just a single discipline. You need illustration, you need graphic design, you need cartography, and most importantly you need to understand how people actually read and use a map.

Clients usually know what they want their visitors or readers to discover. What they haven’t always worked through is everything that has to happen before that idea becomes an actual map that works: what deserves to stand out, what can be simplified, how much detail is actually useful, etc. Those are what decide if a map simply looks good or if it really works.

In this article, you’ll discover:

• Why many custom maps need more than illustration or cartography alone
• How creativity, clarity and geographic accuracy work together
• Why specialization makes a difference throughout a map project
• What to consider when choosing between an illustrator, a cartographer, or a specialist map illustrator for your next map

Read MoreWho should you hire for a map project? Why a specialist map illustrator is often the best choice.

When new clients reach out to me to discuss a map project, their first email usually follows the same pattern: a short description of the project, followed by the two big questions: how long will it take, and how much will it cost?

I believe our role as illustrators is not just about creating beautiful visuals, but also about being transparent and sharing knowledge. Clear communication builds trust, makes collaborations smoother, and help develop stronger long-term relationships with clients and peers.

That’s why I’ve put together this breakdown. It explains what’s involved in creating a practical or illustrated map. Here, you’ll find everything from workflow and tools, to timelines, deliverables, rates, and usage rights. My goal is to give you a realistic idea of what to expect if you ever consider working with a map illustrator like me.

Read MoreRates, timeline and process: what to expect when working with a map illustrator.

Over the years as a freelance map illustrator and designer, I have had the pleasure of working on many illustrated and practical maps. I’ve worked for clients from various industries, and I often encounter people who are confused about the difference between illustrated and practical maps. That’s why I wanted to discuss what these different types of maps are, how they differ, and share why both can be incredibly useful in their own ways! If you’re curious to see how both approach apply to the tourism industry (maps made for cities, regions, or visitor guides), I share tourism-focused projects over at illustratedtouristmaps.com.

Read MoreWhat is an illustrated map? Understanding the differences between illustrated and practical maps

A few years ago I decided to take part in the “Mapping Special Places” contest curated by They Draw and Travel and Stroly. I thought it would be interesting to share a step-by-step guide of how I created this illustrated map with you. In this post I’ll take you through my creative process and how it all came together. Many of the illustrated maps I create for tourism boards and destinations follow this same process (you can see examples at illustratedtouristmaps.com) so I hope that you can learn from this concrete example and design your own map.

Read MoreHow to make an illustrated map step-by-step