Mind the Map: Creative Mapmaking and Cartography by Antonis Antoniou

by Antonis Antoniou

Whether sketched on a napkin or generatedfrom complex data, maps are a fascinatingexpression of contemporary visualculture. Their styles may range from simpleto intricate, focused to comprehensive, and restrained to vivid, but all maps unlockthe world and make it more accessible. Inour age of omnipresent satellite navigationsystems, personal interpretations of oursurroundings are gaining in importance.Today, the craftsmanship of cartographersand the distinct visuals of map illustratorsare increasingly valued by both professionaldesigners and a growing communityof those passionate about maps.Mind the Map features a stunning selectionof outstanding contemporary mapsthat help us find our way around. The bookshows how editors, agencies, travel operators, and relocation services are using themto communicate what makes a region special, to put a specific location into context, to create moods, or to tell stories. Somemaps help us to orient ourselves in a foreigncountry or an unfamiliar city, while othersmake pathways clear and logical that mightotherwise seem confusing.In our age of visual storytelling, cartographyhas become more prevalent and innovative.Maps can be illustrated by hand formagazine stories or display in the home orcustomized for screens of mobile devicesthat can guide us on urban safaris or isolatedhikes. Mind the Map is a showcase thatreflects the broad range of work now beingcreated by a new generation of mapmakersfrom around the world including classicallylegible maps, artistic experiments, editorialillustrations, city views, vacation guides, and global overviews.Mind the Map provides new perspectiveson the world in map form. The book offerssurprising and inspiring bird's eye viewsinto places that we thought we knew andunexpected access into unfamiliar terrain.Its texts guide the reader yet allow enoughroom for personal discovery. Together thevisual examples and written informationmake for a book full of fascinating journeysthat readers will want to take againand again.

Genres: Geography, Maps, Nonfiction, Design, Cartography, Art

Unknown Binding

First published September 25, 2015

Reviews

[Joscha Gewinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful curation of illustrative maps

[emma henrikson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the graphics were painfully dated, but otherwise the prose was enlightening when coupled with the more timeless maps of visibly higher design standard.

[Terry Szesny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeously reproduced modern day maps of many types - though not quite what I was expecting. I was expecting more exposition on technical aspects of map-making today...not much of that here. Also, the maps that have been selected for inclusion often appear to have been chosen based on appearance (and perhaps simplicity), as opposed to accuracy - they are lovely, interesting, and quite often clever. However, I think most map users place the highest value on the accurate rendering of location and distance, and want to realize a very clear improvement in utility when these are sacrificed (e.g., the classic London Underground map) - not merely beauty or wit.

[Dita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this coffee table book.In addition to pretty maps and infographic, it also features the cartographer and the design studio with their insight, tools, and story which is very inspirational for me as a mapmaker. Very recent, ranging from hand-drawn to interactive map, this book shows how vast the world of maps could be. New York Times, National Geographic and Le Monde are few of the teams featured in this book.

[Mills College Library]

700 M6638 2015