Illustrated map vs functional wayfinding map
Two maps can solve the same problem, but in different ways
If the job of your map is to get people from A to B, a functional map may be exactly what you need. But if you want it to do more, build curiosity, communicate the character of a place, create a feeling or influence how someone experiences it, illustration opens up a whole world of possibilities.
What a functional wayfinding map does well
A functional map signals that it's time to focus on one question: where do I need to go? Its job is navigation. It needs to be clear, practical and easy to follow, showing routes and locations accurately so people can quickly work out where they are and where they need to be. There's no need for it to create atmosphere or tell a story, it just needs to get the information across clearly and efficiently.
What an illustrated map adds
An illustrated map can still be accurate, but there’s more freedom to decide what information matters most and how that information is presented.
When you see an illustrated map, it can feel less like a set of instructions and more like an invitation to explore. It can make you curious about a place and encourage you to look a little closer at what's there.
Alongside the practical information, illustration can bring in atmosphere, character and a sense of place. It can also introduce the visual identity of a business, organisation or destination, making the map feel like a natural part of that place.
And because you don't have to show everything, an illustrated map can draw attention to the things that are most useful or interesting to the visitor, without overwhelming them with information.
It's this combination of useful information and visual storytelling that makes an illustrated map more engaging and memorable, which ultimately also makes it more fun to explore.
Which types of project benefit most from illustration?
Illustration can be useful across all sorts of projects, from tourism and hospitality to museums, heritage sites, visitor attractions, publishers and cultural organisations. What they have in common is that they often need to communicate more than location or information alone.
When a functional map is actually the better choice
There are plenty of situations where a simple functional map or diagram is the better choice. If someone needs to find a particular building, follow a precise route, or understand a lot of information without lingering over the map, then a simple, practical approach may be all that's needed. The map gives you the information you need and then gets out of the way.
At the other end of the scale, there are maps showing highly technical geographical or scientific data. Here, accuracy and precision are the whole point, so visual interpretation will probably not be relevant.
How to decide which approach is right for your project
What does the map need to help people do? Find their way, understand information, or explore a place?
How quickly do people need to get the information they need?
Does the geographical information need to be highly accurate or technically precise?
Do you want the map to say something about the character of the place?
Would atmosphere, storytelling or your own branding add something to the map?
Do you want people to spend time exploring the map, or simply use it and move on?
There isn't one right kind of map. The best approach is the one that matches what you need the map to do.