[Cartography]Britannia Map Critique?

HinterWelt · July 11, 2007, 04:48:05 PM

Hey guys,
I am futzing with my Britannia map and would like some critique. Mostly looking at the shore line effect but which do you like better, the first or the second or neither?

Thanks,
Bill

Ronin · July 11, 2007, 04:52:13 PM

The second one looks like a map you would see in a classroom. Which is a nice look. But I think I prefer the first. I like the darker colored ocean.
[edit] On second look I still like the first map. But would rather see the blue ocean text black like the rest.

James J Skach · July 11, 2007, 04:56:06 PM

First one - for some of the same reasons as Ronin. Something about the bright blue oceans washes out the color (and readability, IMHO) of the land masses in the second option.

jrients · July 11, 2007, 05:04:24 PM

I quite like the shore line on the first one. And pale blue water tends to grate on me after I while, like when playing a wargame.

One Horse Town · July 11, 2007, 05:09:37 PM

Yep, the first. The darker ocean accentuates the landmass better.

Seanchai · July 11, 2007, 06:47:57 PM

I'm the opposite. I like the second one, the light blue water, because I can see the landmass better.

Seanchai

estar · July 11, 2007, 07:50:34 PM

Your ocean labels need to contrast more with the ocean on both maps.

The province/land labels that you extend into the ocean has a nice touch of having a border of the same color as the province but it is somewhat unreadable. You should just make the border of the text white and rely on position to tie the label back to the region that it points at.

The darker ocean maps make the provincial colors more rich but the ocean text label look like crap. Note at the bottom you have Brittanitia Prima in black and it is quite readable. I would go with a way darker shade of the Blue you are using for the ocean for the text.

Hope this helps
Rob Conley

Brantai · July 11, 2007, 07:52:09 PM

I like the color contrast better in the second map.

Tim · July 12, 2007, 01:30:06 AM

The subdued colors of the second map are much easier on my eyes. Nice maps!

Caudex · July 12, 2007, 01:38:32 AM

I prefer the first.

BTW, I can't be sure at this resolution, but you appear to have misspelt Londinium -- this may be deliberate, I don't know, as I can see you've made up plenty of (comical!) place names too.

Kyle Aaron · July 12, 2007, 02:50:55 AM

I think the first is more suitable for a webpage, because people's attention is caught by lurid colours, and they don't usually look at the thing too closely, just scanning over it. The second is more suitable for a printed book where the map will be consulted and actually used in play.

So it depends on what the map is for, to look pretty or to be used. Yeah, yeah, "both." In which case, choose the second, since function can make up for looks, but looks can't make up for lack of function, and neither is actually ugly.

PGiverty · July 12, 2007, 02:56:25 AM

What did you use to make this map?

HinterWelt · July 12, 2007, 10:39:02 AM

Quote from: CaudexI prefer the first.

BTW, I can't be sure at this resolution, but you appear to have misspelt Londinium -- this may be deliberate, I don't know, as I can see you've made up plenty of (comical!) place names too.

You know, I have not been able to find a single spelling for Lodinium to save my life. I have seen it spelled Lundunium, Lundinium, Londonium, Londunium and Londinium. I should probably switch it out.

Any others you have issue with?

Thanks,
Bill

HinterWelt · July 12, 2007, 10:40:39 AM

Quote from: PGivertyWhat did you use to make this map?

I drew it in Photoshop. It is one of the reasons the Britannia project has been delayed.

Thanks,
Bill

flyingmice · July 12, 2007, 10:51:33 AM

Quote from: HinterWeltI drew it in Photoshop. It is one of the reasons the Britannia project has been delayed.

Thanks,
Bill

Ahhh! THe infamous Adobe "Learning Cliff"? I tried photoshop and hated it. It's like a racing car that you steer with a tiller - extrordinarily powerful but really difficult to learn to control. I gave my copy away to another person on the project and used other programs. I don't have the time to devote to it. FrameMaker was bad enough!

-clash