How to Design a Free Map

A free map can send any message you wish.

A free map is a great way to let visitors to your area know what is around them. It is also a great communication tool to give to your visitors only the information you want them to know. You can leave out information that is not essential to what you want to communicate to them. With a free map, you can send any message you wish.

Things You'll Need

• Print map of your location
• Tracing paper
• Pencil
• Felt-tip pen
• Photocopier

Instructions

1. Determine the purpose of your map. You must know the purpose of your free map so that you can send the right message, including the right information and leaving out the unnecessary information. Purposes can include showing restricted areas, advertising local business or showing destinations for a gallery or pub tour.

2. Place tracing paper over the print map. Using a pencil, trace the elements of the original map that you want to represent in your own map. For example, you will probably want to show major roads and rivers. You might skip minor roads and paths.

3. Mark locations that are critical to the purpose of the map. For example, you can indicate places of interest. Also you can show numbered destinations.

4. Add a distance index. Simply trace the index on the original map. Locate it wherever you want on your new map.

5. Remove the tracing paper from the original map.

6. Sketch in other elements, such as humorous cartoons, trees or restricted areas. If there is a specific path you wish your visitors to follow, introduce it at this stage.

7. Write any information on the map, such as written directions, names of businesses or road numbers. Title the map.

8. Retrace the pencil lines and writing with felt-tipped pen.

9. Photocopy the map.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have no art or design ability, either include only the most basic information or give the job to someone who has more ability. If you do have artistic ability, be as creative as you want with the design of the map within the boundaries of its purpose.

• Never directly reproduce a pre-existing map that is not your own work. That is copyright infringement.

References

• University of Colorado at Boulder: Cartographic Communication; Kenneth E. Foote et al.; 2000

Resources

• Creative Paper Crafts: Tracing and Transferring Patterns; Angie Felix