Embedded Files
Objectives
Objectives
Research, Design, Develop an Illustrated Map using Photoshop and Illustrator.
Use World Building techniques and processes to redesign/re-imagine or invent a whole new world.
Level 2 students will reimagine/redesign a favorite fantasy or science fiction story through its characters and setting.
Level 3 students will invent their own world.
Understand various aspects of representing culture and geographic space in an Illustrated map, including: the development of symbols, typography, hierarchy of design, visual communication of culture, unity/continuity of design style.
Develop/print a physical version of their world’s map with a short story that tells the key points of the story that are also represented on the map.
Outcomes - What are you making?
Outcomes - What are you making?
Option 1: Choose a book, TV series, movie, or video game that has an imaginary world/environment that you will re-imagine.
Option 1: Choose a book, TV series, movie, or video game that has an imaginary world/environment that you will re-imagine.
Use a fantasy or science fiction story/environment as the starting point, here are some examples: the movies ‘Avatar’, The Lord of the Rings (also book), Harry Potter (also book), Isle of Dogs; TV series Carnival Row, The Dark Crystal, American Gods, Mortal Engines; books like Golden Compass (also a movie), Dune, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The House with a Clock in its Walls, Hunger Games (also movie); video games Clash of Clans, Lego Marvel Superheroes, Super Mario, to name a few.
Option 2: Create your own original world. It should include a basic story with characters, culture, environment, climate, and conflict.
Option 2: Create your own original world. It should include a basic story with characters, culture, environment, climate, and conflict.
Draw inspiration from other stories you like by writing a minimum of three paragraphs to explain the story arc:
Who: the inhabitants of the world and what they look and act like (physical characteristics, values, habits).
Where: the world environment and culture they inhabit (this will be the basis for the geography of the map)
What: the conflict, scenarios or actions that take place; politics and/or social hierarchies; character motivations
When: the time frame for the story
How: what is the mood of the story’s time and place
Research
Research
Save research in its own folder and examples in the Project Research Doc. Collect images in a digital folder of the Who, What, When, Where, How
Save research in its own folder and examples in the Project Research Doc. Collect images in a digital folder of the Who, What, When, Where, How
Consider the demographic of the reader, viewer, game player if you are using an existing story. If you are working on an original story, you will determine the demographic for your story; age range, habits, region, etc., who is the most likely viewer of your map (and story).
Consider the demographic of the reader, viewer, game player if you are using an existing story. If you are working on an original story, you will determine the demographic for your story; age range, habits, region, etc., who is the most likely viewer of your map (and story).
Find visual inspiration from real cultures and time periods (feudal Japan, Victorian England (great for a Steampunk style), Mayan empire.)
Find visual inspiration from real cultures and time periods (feudal Japan, Victorian England (great for a Steampunk style), Mayan empire.)
Research illustrated maps (both real and fictional), look for:
Research illustrated maps (both real and fictional), look for:
how symbols represent locations
what styles and techniques are used for depicting the topography
how roads, paths, routes, are identified (line weight and style)
how type is used and how typography communicates culture
how insets are used and what type of information is in them
how locations are labelled and their level of visual detail
what 'keys' are used (identifying road types, scale of map, direction, etc.),
how color and line styles help in navigating around the map.
Concept Board
Concept Board
Develop a digital concept board that shows your research and thinking about the Who,What, When, Where, and maybe How of your World. You will present your ideas to a small group of designers for feedback to help you decide on next steps. Record the feedback in your Critique log.
Present
Present
Present to a small group and receive feedback to help refine your design ideas.
Record all feedback in Critique Log for Concept Critique.
If you are having trouble writing your story, here is a quick starting prompt to establish the Who, What, When, Where. Once you get the first paragraph, expand on each of the elements. Your story doesn't need a resolution (ending) to be used for building your map.
First map Prototype and Story summary
First map Prototype and Story summary
• Print full size map from pdf on Canon printer (print folder).
• Print story summary on color printer (should have correct spelling and grammar, and be visually interesting) to be displayed with the map.
Final Prototype
Final Prototype
Develop
Develop
Write a 1 page short story (or story summary for existing stories) that contains the important details of events that your map represents. Incorporate the Who, What, When, Where, How’s in your story. Insert the story into your Project Research Doc. (See the 'Mad Lib' Story Prompt above to help with this step.)
Begin sketching ideas FIRST in your sketchbook: the Who, What, When, Where, How of your world. In the final map, you will need:
Illustrations of at least two characters
Iconography for locations of cities, towns, encampments, destinations, points of interest (icons/symbols representing locations - at least 6)
Topography and map the world - represented by various elevations and
Roads, trails, paths, rivers, and routes across the terrain represented by line styles (at least 3 major) and explained in the map legend
Inset details (at least 3), might be closeups of towns or other landmarks
Compass and Map Legend - explanations of types of routes, symbols, other details.
Text/Typography and line that produces that communicates an overall style.
Overall map - shape of continent, proportions, ideas for placement of images and decorative/style details. Thoughtful border on map and insets!
Next Steps: Revise with the idea of creating a game with imagery from your map
Next Steps: Revise with the idea of creating a game with imagery from your map
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