It's pretty much in the title...
I'm seeking for advices to improve my mapping beyond the meh frontier
I'm seeking for advices to improve my mapping beyond the meh frontier
Unless you're @rvbomally.From an observer pov I'd suggest avoiding world maps especially anything in worlda style.
From an observer pov I'd suggest avoiding world maps especially anything in worlda style.
Do things of smaller locations. That will allow you to concentrate on city and river placements.
Use simple keys.
Avoid too many colours - shades of 3/4 will do.
Also yes, avoid worlda, except if you can have some nice aesthetics and put nice pixel art, imo worldas are at their best as just piece of art rather than detailled maps.
I never said worlda were only meh you just need a very good mapmaker to make them good. Hence why, to someone just starting out making maps and wanting to improve I suggested not doing worlda.I disagree that Worlda can't be anything more than 'just a map' or 'meh'. Some of the best mapmakers can make beautiful Worldas; some of my most popular maps are Worldas, as opposed to my work in Inkscape. In fact I know my most popular map on Deviantart is a Worlda, statistically speaking. You'd think that must count for something. Although I do agree that taking a Worlda map to the next level requires some more adventurism, pixel art and little tags that don't appear on the average map.
That aside, try Inkscape or GIMP, or even Paint.net. Those let you make the super detailed, area specific maps. At first it's incredibly tedious (I still can't figure out GIMP so it's Inkscape for me) but if you listen to music or a podcast and know what you're making then you eventually just start flying through maps.
I disagree that Worlda can't be anything more than 'just a map' or 'meh'. Some of the best mapmakers can make beautiful Worldas; some of my most popular maps are Worldas, as opposed to my work in Inkscape. In fact I know my most popular map on Deviantart is a Worlda, statistically speaking. You'd think that must count for something. Although I do agree that taking a Worlda map to the next level requires some more adventurism, pixel art and little tags that don't appear on the average map.
That aside, try Inkscape or GIMP, or even Paint.net. Those let you make the super detailed, area specific maps. At first it's incredibly tedious (I still can't figure out GIMP so it's Inkscape for me) but if you listen to music or a podcast and know what you're making then you eventually just start flying through maps.