How to brief an illustrator for a custom map
You don't need to have everything perfectly worked out before you get in touch with an illustrator
It's okay to get in touch with a rough idea, the information you've collected so far, or even just the sense that your existing map isn't doing what you need it to do.
The first stage is about the illustrator getting a clear understanding of what you need. They'll ask questions, unpick bits that are unclear and explain what information they need from you before committing to the project.
You don't need to arrive with a perfect brief. But you do need to be able to explain what you're trying to achieve, so that the illustrator can understand the project and decide whether they're the right person to help.
Start with the outcome
Who is the map for, and what do you want it to help them do?
Your audience might be visitors, guests, customers, readers, event attendees or staff, and what they need from the map will depend on what they're trying to do. A visitor might need to get their bearings and see what's worth exploring. A reader might need a map that helps them understand a destination within a wider story. Staff might need something much more practical.
The more you can think about the outcome you want, the easier it becomes to decide what the map needs to show and what can be edited down.
Gather the information you already have
You may already have much of the information an illustrator will need, even if you don't immediately think of it as useful reference material.
This might include:
site plans
Google Maps
existing maps
sketches
photographs
PDFs
lists of locations
existing visitor information
Map projects often involve information from lots of different sources. One document might contain the site layout, another might have a list of locations, and photographs or emails might contain details that aren't written down anywhere else.
Part of a map illustrator's role is to spot potential problems, ask the right questions, help bring clarity to the information and work out how it can be organised visually.
Questions your illustrator is likely to ask
Once you've made contact, your illustrator will want to understand a little more about the project.
They may ask about:
Audience — who will use the map?
Priorities — what absolutely needs to be communicated?
Must-have locations — which places, routes or landmarks need to appear?
Branding — are there existing colours, lettering, visual guidelines or other elements the map needs to work with?
Format — where will the map be used and at what size?
Level of detail — how much information does the map need to contain?
Deadline — when does the finished artwork need to be ready?
It’s not a test of how prepared you are. It’s part of working out what the map needs to do and how best to approach it.
Getting in touch doesn't commit you to a project
Getting in touch is the first step in finding out whether the project feels like a good fit. You can explain what you're looking for, share what you already know and ask any questions about how the project might work. In turn, the illustrator can ask questions, get to understand what you need and get a feel for whether it's a project they'd be excited to get stuck into.
If you decide you'd like to go ahead, the project can then move into the formal briefing, quotation and agreement stage.