Contrasts of colours and fonts! Trying to experiement with each to set out a clear over all hierarchy of information on the map. Should the colour contours change every 100m. If we go 100m then we need 15 different colour contours! Also trying to choose colours that will allow the other information on the map to shine through. We need to move into the mock-up phase to get a better idea of what works
The font issue seems to be clearer but we still have not nailed down our final choice.
All this has made us rather hungry, time for a long lunch and siesta to recover.
As we try to move away from unconscious incompetence, we’re getting some great books out from our local libraries. Two books I particularly like not only have great information, but also look gorgeous:
Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS, by John Krygier and Denis Wood, published by The Guilford Press in 2005.
Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users, by Cynthia A Brewer, published by ESRI Press in 2005.
I Love Libraries!
Today has been a day of colour.
We’ve been looking at various ways of changing our current black-and-white sketch maps into full-colour, detailed, to scale maps. We’ve invested in a Pantone colour swatch book, and checked out as many maps as we can to see what colour schemes we like. We’ve also google’d until our typing fingers stung, getting online advice from as many sources as possible.
Of course, there’s no substitute for the personal touch, so we’ve also been in contact with a number of printers who specialize in map work. Their patience in answering our naive questions is greatly appreciated.
Plus, we’ve engaged a couple of friends and relations in map folding exercises to determine which folding options work best.
More practical stuff today, like talking to other map publishers about printers and printing options, looking at paper sizes and finishes, and more trying to get to grips with the different folds options available.
We’re also scribbling away at possible designs, starting off low-tech by drawing possible looks and layouts. Once we get a few concrete ideas, we’ll post them here. And we’re wrestling with large bits of paper to experiment with the best way of folding and unfolding.
Meanwhile, we’re planning a big seafood paella this weekend. Coupled with a bottle or two of garnacha, it should provide ideal inspiration.
Sitting down over a smoked meat sandwich we managed to get to grips with the logic behind map folds. There does not seem to be any! We want the map to be easy to use and not a battle of oragami. We have decided we want the least amount of folds.
The smoked meat also helped us figure out the our missing map collection. We made a mistake and did not order enough from Tienda Verde in Madrid. After battling with their very annoying website we managed to order the missing maps! Now we just have to wait on the post man! While we wait for these to arrive we can try and find a printer.
A sip of orujo and off to bed
The first time of looking at what we want from our map, glass of Rioja in hand and examples from other maps and guidebooks scattered all over the floor. All the big questions. Do we want contours and if so what colour and how far apart? I think we do as it will add to the visual information but it is important the colour does not clutter the text.
We have also decided we do not want a modern computer generated look. We are after an improved version of our existing maps. I would like to see us add more geographic information like river names but the most important thing is the camino information. The map needs to be clear and helpful. I want pilgrims to carry it in their pocket as they walk not buried in their pack or worse left at home.
I love this part of planning, where anything is possible, but we also need to focus our attention and move beyond daydreaming. We need to tie up the mechanics of production so that we can figure out what we can do technically and budget-wise and what we can’t do.
Pili Pala Press is publishing a map of the Camino de Santiago in spring 2007. This blog will track the project from start to finish.
It’s also a chance for you to let us know what you want in a camino map. Accommodation? Profile charts? Colour map or black and white?
And if you want to be notified when the map is published, send an e-mail to info@pilipalapress.com and we’ll subscribe you to our quarterly newsletter.