Drawing Simplified Maps in Illustrator
1h 40mIntermediate2021-05-21
Authors

Tony Harmer
Educator, Illustrator, Adobe Creative Suite Master
Course details
Maps are a common design task, not to mention a lot of fun, but how can you create a simplified map in Adobe Illustrator? In this course, instructor Tony Harmer shows you, step by step, how to create a simplified map to mark a route, show a location, or act as a guide. Tony begins by defining a map and explaining some intellectual property rights that you may need to consider. Then he explains several basics, such as color schemes, styles, and masks, that you will need in creating your map. Tony walks you through each step to create a simplified map, then concludes with a detailed discussion on building pictorial maps.
Skills covered
InfographicsIllustrationIllustratorGraphic DesignAdobeAnimation and IllustrationDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Drawing simplified maps
- 02 - What you should know before watching this course
1. Simplified Maps
- 03 - Defining a map
- 04 - Challenge - Location checking
- 05 - Solution - Location checking
- 06 - Reference and copyright
2. Basic Skills
- 07 - Appearances and graphic styles
- 08 - Dotted lines and arrowheads
- 09 - Challenge - Railroad
- 10 - Solution - Railroad
- 11 - Creating color schemes
- 12 - Import styles and colors
- 13 - Masks
3. Creating a Simplified Map
- 14 - Importing a sketch
- 15 - Challenge - Drawing
- 16 - Styling a layer
- 17 - Drawing a river
- 18 - Using a pattern texture
- 19 - Adding areas
- 20 - Challenge - Add buildings
- 21 - Solution - Add buildings
- 22 - Labels
- 23 - Labelling roads
- 24 - Nested dynamic symbols
- 25 - Challenge - Resolving issues
- 26 - Solution - Resolving issues
- 27 - Clipping the map
4. Pictorial Maps
- 28 - Using projections
- 29 - Mapping art
- 30 - Perspective grid
Conclusion
- 31 - Next steps