Design a fantasy map for my novel

Contest Brief

I am in the process of preparing a fantasy novel for publication. I have made up a couple of fantasy maps for it using simple programs, but I'd like something that looks better and more presentable. However, it should still be legible for e-books or printed paperback pages. Whoever can take my old maps and make them into something great and understandable will win!

There are two maps to create: one for the entire realm, broken down to several individual kingdoms, and one map focusing on the kingdoms of Tennence and Strovnik. I'm including two versions of the map of Tennence, in case my older file is not legible enough. The final product doesn't have to match my files exactly, but the shape of the lands and the layout of all landmarks should be the same. Feel free to use whatever font or script you like, as long as you have the right to use it legally, and as long as it's legible. A compass icon on both would be nice.

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Employer Feedback

“Sandra provided a great and classy-looking map for my novel, with everything I asked for. She is accommodating for changes and updates, and I am happy overall with the end result.”

Profile image AlanPaananen, United States.

Public Clarification Board

  • sandrasreckovic
    sandrasreckovic
    • 9 years ago

    Please see #28 .

    • 9 years ago
  • Anohreul
    Anohreul
    • 9 years ago

    See #25
    You can pick and choose depending on your needs. There are variants that seek to reduce ink usage. Others are there to be as good as possible to look at in greyscale. And some are a happy medium between the two. And the last one is what the "greyscale" is when not yet sapped of its colors. Uploaded just for fun.

    • 9 years ago
  • AlanPaananen
    Contest Holder
    • 9 years ago

    I've been working on the formatting/publication side of the book. It looks like the pages will be 5.5" x 8.5" in black and white. As great as it is to have the maps in color, I don't think I'll be able to print them in the final book in color, without driving up the manufacturing cost. However, if you do provide a color map, it won't be a problem; I just wanted to make you all aware that it may have to be converted to grayscale, and it could affect the way it looks in the final product.

    • 9 years ago
    1. Anohreul
      Anohreul
      • 9 years ago

      And the type of printing you will be using. Are they going to be in high definition grayscale where you have a nice variety in gradients. Or a more "dot based" gray scaling where there's only kinda large circle hard black inks but creates the illusion of grayscale by spacing the dots.

      This may affect the way we would modify our entries.

      • 9 years ago
    2. AlanPaananen
      Contest Holder
      • 9 years ago

      They're asking for a minimum of 300 DPI, so I believe it'll print in proper high resolution. You can resubmit your maps in grayscale, especially if you think the difference between color and grayscale is significant enough, but otherwise I can take the maps as they are and see how well they look/print. The colors in these maps have definitely caught my eye, and even though they might appear B&W in the book, it would be nice to have the original file in color. I'm wondering if it could make for a decent poster, which could help in promoting the book.

      • 9 years ago
  • sandrasreckovic
    sandrasreckovic
    • 9 years ago

    Please see # 19, # 20 # 21

    • 9 years ago
  • Anohreul
    Anohreul
    • 9 years ago

    Uploaded 2 variants with a slight tint onto them.
    Please see #16

    Tried making the land marks and such "pop out" more.
    Any comments are appreciated.

    • 9 years ago
    1. Anohreul
      Anohreul
      • 9 years ago

      See #17
      Downloaded these nice free mock up Photoshop files to feature the map in a real world scenario. Which of the two variants do you much prefer when seeing it in the real world? Also please do open this up in a full screen to better see the detail.

      • 9 years ago
  • Anohreul
    Anohreul
    • 9 years ago

    Aimed for a professional looking Cartographic map.
    See #15
    One that you can be proud of being published with a book.
    Do note how extremely polished the submission is.

    • 9 years ago
    1. Spector01
      Spector01
      • 9 years ago

      You are very courageous in your statements. But it is a little tactless to other designers. I wish you good luck!

      • 9 years ago
    2. Anohreul
      Anohreul
      • 9 years ago

      When everyone is aiming to win a singular prize I think it's a bit ok to be more bold and have more trust in your own creations.

      I do realize that everyone here gave it their best and gave their submission their time, energy and passion; and as such I cannot underestimate them. Good luck to you as well kind co-contestant!

      • 9 years ago
  • littleleighvis
    littleleighvis
    • 9 years ago

    I would be happy to do this for you, all hand painted. I might have time to submit a sample but considering it'd take me several times longer to do this than it would for someone doing it digitally, it would probably only be a section of the map. :)

    • 9 years ago
  • sandrasreckovic
    sandrasreckovic
    • 9 years ago

    Please see #12

    • 9 years ago
  • Anohreul
    Anohreul
    • 9 years ago

    I would assume you would like the images to be in the old mappy fantasy style on decrepit semi burned paper paper?

    Or you would like a more clean style where you can clearly see everything and stuff like those in video games.

    • 9 years ago
    1. cotorogeadaniel9
      cotorogeadaniel9
      • 9 years ago

      what about the terrain/trees you want them Tolkien-like or 3d-ish ?

      • 9 years ago
    2. AlanPaananen
      Contest Holder
      • 9 years ago

      I think Tolkein-like would be ideal. I wouldn't mind 3D-looking mountains, but I think I the old-fashioned style would benefit everything else.

      • 9 years ago

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