How to Draw simple Maps?

• Why draw Maps for your Stories?
• Maps bring visual information.
• They bring Clarity.
• They reveal the Complexity of your World.
• How to Draw them?
• By Balancing Clarity & Complexity.

Summary – 6 steps to a simple Map

1. Define the Limits of your Map.
2. Place all the Fundamental Locations.
3. Link all these Locations, or most of them.
4. Place Information on the Characters in these different Locations.
5. Place Elements revealing the Origin of each Location.
6. Reveal through the Setting how will each Location Evolve.

• Your Maps have 2 Objectives :
  • Be Complex enough to be Interesting.
  • Be Clear enough to offer Predictability.



Why use a Map?

• Visual Representation
• Maps allow an Economy in descriptions.
• They allow you to Focus description on Fundamental Factors.
• The Imagery of a Map facilitate suggestion.
• The Public may question the existence of position of certain elements.
• Littles elements which may be not clear.
• Elements which are deliberately positioned in a seemingly inappropriate situation.

• Strategy & Planning
• Maps add Predictability.
• They allow the Character to think clearer.
• They allow the Public to think clearer.
• They allow You to think clearer.
• They determine the Proportions & Position of Objects.
• Characters should be able to find Optimal Pathways.
• Whichever they Start from.
• Clarity is Independent of Exit & Starting points.

• Atmospheric
• Maps should always expand.
• They Stimulate Vision.
• They Entice Exploration.
• They Facilitate Suggestion.
• They also allow Kinesthetic sensation.
• Kinesthetic & Visual Memory are Solicited when it comes to maps.
• They create definite atmosphere.
• They expand Imagination.
• They open Possibilities.

If you want to know more about Storytelling through the Setting.



How should you draw your Map?

• Level of Detail
• The Level of Detail is proportional to the Importance of the Location.
• Maps should be Complex Enough to be Interesting :
  • They Develop the want to explore.
  • They facilitate Discovery.
  • They make any Story more Interactive.
• And Clear/Transparent enough to be Predictable :
  • They hint onto Future events.
  • Potential Issues.
  • How will these Issues Resolved.
  • And the potential Outcomes.

• Character’s Story
• The Map of a location reveals details on its Inhabitants.
• It may be details on an individual :
  • Her Origins,
  • Her Goal,
  • Her Relationships with other Characters.
• The Characters & the Public draw inspiration from maps.
• Their an occasion to make your Characters more likable, relatable or memorable.

• Environment’s Story
• Stories are dictated by the Environment.
• And Environments are molded by Stories.
• The Elements composing an Environments will reveal you its Origins.
  • Why did the Environment came into existence?
  • Why is it still here today?
  • And its Relationships with other Environments.
• New Stories will spawn out of your Maps.
  • Stories will make some Environments more enjoyable.
  • Stories make some Environments more memorable.
• Either way Environment should feel immersive.
• This Immersion is created through the Atmosphere :
  • Materials of which the Environments are made of.
  • It dominant Colors.
  • Light’s availability & how it is Used.

If you want to know more about Drawing & Composition.

Essential Locations

• 6 Essential Locations
• If you’re not sure how many Locations you need start with 6.
• It’s a fine number to balance the Stakes in your World, on whichever Scale it may be defined.
• These 6 Locations may be Cities.
• They may be Countries.
• Depending on your Scale, they may be 6 Rooms of a Building.
• They should complement each other.
• The Synergy of your world should be displayed on your map.
• Use Clear, Simple, Contrasting & Complementary Shapes.

• Organizations
• Worlds are administrated by Organizations.
• The Headquarters of each Organization should be easy to find.
  • Except if the organization is not legitimate.
• They should be accessible, with the appropriate authorizations.
• The Complexity of your World will be reflected through these Organizations.
• Their Position make your World more Readable.

• Essential Information
• Essential Information has 3 purposes:
  1. Define the Origins of an Environment or Character.
  2. Trace or Predict its/her Evolution.
  3. Relate or Hint on its/her Conclusion.
• Some type of Information may distract the Characters & the Public.
• Allow them to exist : seemingly useless things may be useful later.
• Make use of Colors contrast to reveal Essential Points.

If you want to know more about creating Worlds easily.



Limits of the Map

• Limits of your World
• Your World is defined by a Genre.
• It is defined by a Frame.
• Both combined create a Context.
• They display a Coherence.
• They make your World Consistent.

• What can Happen
• Your Map hints on what can happen in this World.
• Which Creatures can be met.
• Which Buildings serve which Purpose.
• Which Security, Health & Finance system is preferred.
• Which kind of Food is favored by the populations.
• Which Technology is used.

• What cannot Happen
• Your Map hints on what can not happen in this World.
• Certain Threats cannot be Found in this World.
• Neither can be certain types of Resources/Materials.
• How far can Innovation go.

If you want to know more about setting Limits.