Jardhen - fantasy city

[- Max -]

Hey everyone,

I just tested out a simple B&W (grey shaded) fantasy city map style ,let me know what you think about it It's done in Photoshop.

Jardhen.jpg

As usual, feel free to rate, rep or run away

[Ilanthar]

Excellent map and design, as usual. Though, I think I prefer your other ways to do the buildings.

[Mb.]

Love the style & line quality. Just one critique: the buildings are so light it makes for some foreground / background confusion. I'd darken them just a little, only until they pop off the white background a little. Know what I mean?

[jugabyte]

I like it alot! Love the farm look. I don't think the buildings are too light at all, though I like more individualized shapes for city buildings. However the benefit of making them more abstract like you did is that you can always make zoomed in maps of those neighborhoods look like anything you want, so it works.

Good job!

[Wingshaw]

A nice looking map, although I have a few problems with the layout and implied urban form (that is, the outline of the buildings that you have drawn). But then, I am pretty picky about urban form. Good work.

THW

[- Max -]

Thanks for your comments guys!

Excellent map and design, as usual. Though, I think I prefer your other ways to do the buildings.

I like it alot! Love the farm look. I don't think the buildings are too light at all, though I like more individualized shapes for city buildings. However the benefit of making them more abstract like you did is that you can always make zoomed in maps of those neighborhoods look like anything you want, so it works.
Good job!

Indeed I didn't want to go on single buildings on this one, though blocks could probably be detailed in single buildings on the larger version (A3 size).

A nice looking map, although I have a few problems with the layout and implied urban form (that is, the outline of the buildings that you have drawn). But then, I am pretty picky about urban form. Good work.

THW

I didn't draw buildings but blocks, hence the shapes. Though you're a better expert than me when it's about urban design

Love the style & line quality. Just one critique: the buildings are so light it makes for some foreground / background confusion. I'd darken them just a little, only until they pop off the white background a little. Know what I mean?

I see what you mean, I'll see it since there's mixed thoughts about it

[Mb.]

I see what you mean, I'll see it since there's mixed thoughts about it

Yup, fair enough. Something I've used in my web design work to take the he said/she said out of it, i.e. move it towards objective fact and away from subjective taste:

– print it on an A4 (8.5 x 11" for Yanks)
– hang it on the wall
– have a look standing at least 3 meters (yards) away

Or:

– flatten the whole thing in Photoshop
– blur it quite a lot, how much depends on size & resolution
– sit back and check it out

If you can still tell buildings from streets, it's cool. If not, maybe adjust it a bit.

Anyway, no question that it's a gorgeous map.

[arsheesh]

Very attractive max. I love the subtle grey shading, its very smooth. Great job - as usual.

cheers,
-Arsheesh

[Eilathen]

Oh! Very nice, i dig it. Really says to me "Use me in an RPG....NOW!"
Have a Like (can't Rep. you).

[gpepper]

Nice one ! Simple, efficient !
Love it !

Maybe I would have add some texture to it...