Little Details Really Matter

[KittyCool]

I know this is probably an obvious thing to say, but taking time to do what seems like a small thing at first can make a huge difference, an example being this map. I never really looked at the difference between the before and after shading on my maps but I think it looks significantly better! Just curious, do any of you have some cool little details that people can use to make their maps look really good?

[Vanoitran]

Wow, KittyCool, yeah the shading improves it a lot, and you did a really good job with it. It definitely changes the look though. I wonder if the style of shading has a big role in the genre of map created. For example if you were making this map for a kid's novel versus a D&D game how would you do the shading differently. I don't know myself, I'm not as good in the artistic theory department of map making, so if you have any ideas that would be cool!

To respond to your question, I find adding little bits of art instead of generic map icons can go a long way into world building. For example adding a shield and emblem for a city rather than a dot or diamond. An emblem with a cross on it, for example might signify that that city is a religious hub as opposed to a city whose emblem is a hide shield with two spears behind it. A more tribal horde like civilization maybe? Anyways, just my two cents.

[KittyCool]

First, thanks for the compliments! And I'm sure the type of shading can greatly influence the map, although I think I'm a bit too much of an amateur to know how to make different shading styles work =P Buuut, if I were to do this for some kind of kid's novel instead of a very serious map, I think I'd simply make the outlines darker in general instead of shading, and make all of the details on the map much more cartoony instead of psuedo-realistic!

Oooh yeah! I love maps that do that! I need to try doing that some time for a map I'll make in the future! Another thing I love, to add onto what you said, is when people draw out points of interest, like a mysterious tower or a cave in a mountainous region. Also, those little sea monsters that some people draw :3