Tourism Map Design

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Custom City Map Illustration for Tourism

Author: Sean H. Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Smithville is a small Texas town with an outsized creative identity. It is home to Smitty, the world record holding gingerbread man, and the Ann Powell Express train, and has served as a filming location for movies like Hope Floats. The city wanted a custom tourism map system that captured this character while serving practical wayfinding needs for visitors and residents.

The project came together as three coordinated city maps. A full city map covers the main grid and satellite locations for visitors arriving from out of town. A downtown map handles foot traffic and helps people navigate once they are there. An illustrated highlights and commerce map features custom landmark illustrations and doubles as a tourism marketing piece the city can use to attract film crews, visitors, and small business interest. Each map handles a different job, but they share a consistent visual identity so the city’s brand carries across every version.

We delivered every file as a fully layered, editable asset under a CC0 license. The city owns the artwork outright and can print, modify, and republish the maps without coming back to us for permission or paying ongoing licensing fees. We do not believe in gatekeeping creative work, especially for small municipalities and tourism boards investing in their own identity. The maps are built to last, and the city has what it needs to keep them current as Smithville grows.

Custom map design for cities and tourism boards

Cities of every size benefit from a coordinated map system that supports both wayfinding and tourism marketing. Whether you are a small town building out a downtown tourism program or a larger municipality coordinating multiple districts, custom city maps with original landmark illustrations help visitors find their way and give your community a recognizable visual identity. We work with cities, tourism boards, chambers of commerce, and downtown development organizations on map projects ranging from single downtown maps to full city map systems with multiple coordinated versions.

We work with cities, tourism boards, chambers of commerce, and downtown development organizations on map projects including:

  • Custom city maps with full coverage of main grids and satellite locations
  • Downtown maps designed for foot traffic and walkable navigation
  • Illustrated tourism maps with custom landmark and building artwork
  • Coordinated map systems with multiple versions sharing a unified visual identity
  • Wayfinding signage and visitor orientation materials
  • Print-ready map files for brochures, posters, and visitor guides
  • Digital map versions for websites, mobile apps, and social media
  • KML map data and interactive map design for online platforms

Every project we deliver is yours to keep. Layered files, editable artwork, and CC0 licensing mean your city owns the work without restrictions. If your city, town, or tourism organization needs a custom map system, we would love to help.

Tourism and City Visitor Map Design

Author: Sean H. Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Designing a visitor map for Louisville, Kentucky’s Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) involves a strategic and thoughtful approach that benefits various stakeholders including local retail, tourism, wayfinding, corporate partnerships, and overall Louisville business development. Here’s a detailed case study:

Project Overview

Client: Louisville, Kentucky
Project: Downtown BID Visitor Map Design
Objective: To create an informative and user-friendly map highlighting local businesses, restaurants, entertainment, hotels, and hospitality services provided by the BID.

Research and Analysis

  1. Stakeholder Assessments: Collect data from local business owners, hotel managers, and tourism officials to provide accurate data and provide what they hoped the map would achieve.
  2. User Studies: Gathering information from tourists and locals about their navigation challenges and interests in the downtown area.
  3. Competitive Analysis: Reviewing existing maps and visitor guides from similar districts in other cities for best practices.

Design Strategy

  1. Content Selection: The map includes prominent local businesses, popular restaurants, key entertainment venues, and hotels. Each category is color-coded for ease of identification.
  2. Wayfinding Elements: Clear street names, landmarks, pedestrian pathways, and public transportation hubs are highlighted to assist navigation.
  3. Accessibility: The map is designed for print and digital use, ensuring accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

Benefits

  1. Local Retail: By featuring local shops and boutiques, the map drives foot traffic and supports local commerce.
  2. Tourism Enhancement: Tourists benefit from a comprehensive guide to the city’s attractions, increasing their likelihood of extended stays and repeat visits.
  3. Wayfinding Improvement: The map simplifies navigation, reducing the stress of exploring a new city and enhancing visitor experiences.
  4. Corporate Partnership Opportunities: Local businesses can be featured on the map or advertise it, creating resources for the BID and promotional opportunities for businesses.
  5. Boost to Louisville Business: A well-designed map can be a tool for economic development, encouraging investment and interest in the Downtown BID area.

Implementation and Distribution

  1. Production: The map is produced in both print and digital formats, ensuring wide accessibility.
  2. Distribution Points: Maps are distributed at key entry points to the city, including the airport, hotels, visitor centers, and participating businesses.
  3. Online Presence: A digital version is available on the Louisville BID website and through a dedicated mobile webpage.

Evaluation and Feedback

  1. User Feedback: Regular surveys of map users to assess its effectiveness and areas for improvement.
  2. Business Feedback: Ongoing dialogue with local businesses to measure the impact on foot traffic and sales.
  3. Analytics Tracking: For the digital version, usage analytics help understand user behavior and preferences.

Conclusion

The Louisville Downtown BID visitor map represents a significant step in enhancing the visitor experience, supporting local businesses, and promoting the district as a vibrant and welcoming destination. Its strategic design and thoughtful implementation are crucial in realizing these benefits. Continued evaluation and adaptation will ensure the map remains an effective tool for visitors and locals alike.