The map is one-sided. On the left side is a numbered list of the locations, in the order in which they are meant to be visited, allocated for my partner to go on, which also correlate to the the numbers on the right, which offer fun facts about each location. In addition to this, on the left side each location’s address is provided along with the directions needed for my client to locate the destinations and the actions that he/she should conduct at each, as well as between, locations.
My experience theme is inspired by the stereotypical treasure hunt, correlating to my client’s love of spontaneity and adventure. The map rolls out into an 8” by 32” document in order to be presented in the form of a scroll, referencing the stereotypical treasure map. It maintains its shape through the use of an elastic band, a functional and effective method of enclosure. In addition, the presence of warm hues in the map design, such as the grey background on the left side, also pertains to the concept aesthetic. This grey silhouette of the New York skyline is interlocked with the white background to create a physical barrier between the experience directions and the fun facts pertaining to each location. In order to create this element, I color inverted a photograph of the New York skyline, then copy and pasted the selection into a new Photoshop document and made the background a warm grey. Another element of the design that supports the theme, is the clip of Manhattan island from a worn treasure map online, which I uploaded into Photoshop and used the magnetic lasso tool to isolate Manhattan island, and the additional red x’s at the points of the locations.
Every decision of my design was thoughtful. The photos I selected to represent each location contain imagery that explains the main attraction of the location as well as my reason for selecting the destination. For example, the picture of the snow leopard for the Central Park Zoo suggests it is the most pivotal sight of the location due to my client’s love of panthers and leopards. I chose red type for the the written portion of the map in order to grab my client’s attention as well as match the red X’s on the map, employed to demonstrate the position of the “booty,” or destinations in this case. The compass roses in the corners of the right side of the map, contribute a world view context of the locations, in order for my client to better comprehend the path of her experience. The typeface of the writing on the map is another element I incorporated into the product of my map which heightened the scenes of my viewer. The contrast between the sophisticated Bodoni Old Style typeface, used for the location titles on the left and right sides as well as the fun facts on the right side of the map, and the elegant, historic aesthetic of Apple Chancery typeface connect to the juxtaposed contemporary and aged elements within the experience. The locations correlate to my client’s past and present in order to evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort that he/she can use as motivation that can enhance his/her future. Therefore, I also chose to further this concept of duality within my map through the differing depictions of Manhattan– the modern skyline with the worn map of the island. It provides a literal representation of juxtaposition, which symbolizes the figurative duality at play in the experience between past, present and future.
