Hand drawn maps

[Caenwyr]

Ok, I'd like to ask you something else.

What do you think about using fantastic or ancient script on maps? Or even an ancient and extinct language? Is atmosphere or readability more important?
Do the next Dragon Mountains really have to be named in English/French/other language? Maybe it's better to use runes? Cuneiform? A forgotten alphabet?

I did an experiment with a foreign alphabet (one that I invented myself) a while back, and while many people liked the alien atmosphere it lent to the map, the most popular remark I got, was that they'd've liked to be able to read it too

[Greason Wolfe]

I personally don't have a problem with ancient/forgotten scripts because, as you mentioned, they can add atmosphere to a map. What I see in such instances is an "English translation" in a smaller script underneath the main script so that people can identify locations more easily unless they are not supposed to be able to do such.

(Hope that made sense)

[Baron]

I go the other way. I just get frustrated if I can't read or understand a map. Sure, you could argue that it's just art, but even when I look at ancient maps, I don't get as interested because I can't read the words. As in that pretty Japanese map someone posted the other day, I just want one I can read, otherwise I give it a glance and move on. So if we're going to make pretty fantasy maps, I want them in a modern language that I'm fluent in. (Sadly, in my case that's only English, but if I was fluent in French and German and Spanish and Latin instead of just retaining the tiniest bit of familiarity, I would include them as well.) I suppose that ultimately it depends on what, or who, you're making it for, right?

[Falconius]

I kind of agree with Baron at least in terms of the mappiness of a map. You have to consider that when you use obscure languages or even made up languages you are deliberately excluding everyone who doesn't read that language. Which is fine, so long as you realize that that is the actual choice you are making.

[Tiana]

I love ciphers included on maps, because ciphers are not unbreakable. Personally I think this looks great. I love art maps, maps in other languages and forgotten scripts, but most of all if they can be decoded.

I use a conscript on a map of my own world. I use it for splash, though, not for the entire piece, and it is an English cipher that could be decoded. I think this gives a certain amount of puzzle flair so I enjoy it.

[MistyBeee]

Maps are always about interaction between visual elements and informations. If your purpose is to have an informative map, known languages are obviously better. If your purpose is to produce a piece of art, to suggest questioning, to create an atmosphere, to call mystery or to propose a riddle to solve... then everything is possible. I can confess my heart always melt a little when I see a map with any kind of cryptic alphabet ('love them a lot ^^), being imaginary, coming from old ages or foreing languages. But I also know it's not always appreciated, depending on the context. A matter of taste, I guess

Anyway... you already know what I think about your work, IC. You're among the giants, and I'm always a fan : those close-ups are just a candy for eyes ! ^^

[Falconius]

I think an interesting illustration of this is a map we are all familiar with, Tolkein's map for The Hobbit. The stuff he want's mysterious he puts in runes, and those he wants informative he puts in English.

[jshoer]

I just want to add to the chorus here: your maps are amazing and beautiful! I hardly think you need to improve on order to clear some bar - only to continue improving as we all seek to do.

My main suggestion for you is to find other members of the Guild working in traditional media, and see if there are features of their maps that you like. Other than that, just keep experimenting with techniques! Lots of Guild members have a workshop thread where they post small studies and ideas, and solicit feedback.

On scripts, I think the reference to the Hobbit map is a great idea. Think about what information or artistic features you want the map to represent rather than making an arbitrary decision. There's no across-the-board rule.

[Ilanthar]

You have a unique style and it's a very effective one. I'm enjoying both your thread and art, here .

[Impractical Cartographer]

Ok. I am calm. I'm breathing deeply.

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Ctrl + Z and Undo command not working.


And now, seriously. How do you deal with these situations? I always want to yell and curse.