Faeries Interactive Map

Challenge

Use metaphor and symbolism to create an informative, accessible, and useful infographic that simplifies complex information for a target audience.

Process

For my topic I chose faeries from traditional folklore, to simplify all the conflicting information around fae legends and create a summarized guide that someone could quickly reference for important information. I imagined the viewer as someone in another world where faeries are known to exist but there is little reliable information about them. Since fae can be dangerous, the viewer would benefit from an easy-to-understand quick guide for safety reasons, or just for curiosity’s sake. In our world, the infographic functions more as entertainment.

I used an intuitive, travel guide inspired map layout since faeries all inhabit different areas and the viewer could concentrate on different fae based on where they’re looking. The composition is based on classic maps and engravings, but with a contemporary twist. I painted it digitally in Photoshop, then added the type, which is influenced by 1800s-style typography to match the engraving-like illustration. The color palette is muted for an aged look, and uses contrasting red and green to draw the viewer’s eye.

After creating the still infographic, I expanded it by making it interactive. View the prototype here (or type bit.ly/faeriesmap into your browser).

Results

The final result of the project is an entertaining and educational infographic, as well as an interactive version that could be turned into a screen in a museum exhibit, or an app for mobile devices.