8 replies to this topic

[kevinpaulscarrott]

It doesn’t exactly jump out from the page and attack the eye, but then it’s not supposed to!

This palette has been developed as a backdrop for a variety of maps for the city of Stavanger in Norway. This presentation has been stripped of most of the foreground material, there are just a few symbols remaining to illustrate composition and purpose.

Uses:
- city map
- festival/event - example here
- cruise map
- exhibition/congress
- corporate
- transport

Webcam view of the area covered by the map

PDF palette available here.

Cartographers wishing to incorporate any part of the palette into their own maps are very welcome.

Comments and constructive feedback are always welcome, but just remember that I have a fragile disposition.

As always, I wish all a creative & lucrative time ahead!

Best wishes,
Kevin Paul Scarrott
Stavanger Guide Maps Norway

[MapMedia]

Brilliant - Very nicely done, Paul.
If I use the palette I will certainly cite it.

What was your inspiration for the map design? Is this a style that represents modern Norway, or based on something else?

[kevinpaulscarrott]

Brilliant - Very nicely done, Paul.
If I use the palette I will certainly cite it.

What was your inspiration for the map design? Is this a style that represents modern Norway, or based on something else?

Hi and thanks for your welcoming comment,

Yes, you hit the nail firmly on the head with your question about inspiration and modern Norway.
These colours definitely represent the Zeitgeist of Stavanger Norway as we speak.

Gone are glossy prime colours of the Klondike days from the initial upstart of the rich Oil & Gas adventure in Norway.

Things have been tried and tested, and finesse is now the order of the day.

You’re still allowed to shout “Eureka” but the times dictate a more refined eloquent cry.

I’m still a prime colour man, but alas, one has to move with the times or throw in the towel.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
I’m sure that we all need some encouragement every now and then.

Best wishes,
Kevin Paul
Stavanger Guide Maps Norway

[Gretchen Peterson]

Refreshing colors - I will definitely bookmark this for use sometime in the future and will site it. I like how the labels and icons pop out of the background - which I think was your intent, right?

[kevinpaulscarrott]

Refreshing colors - I will definitely bookmark this for use sometime in the future and will site it. I like how the labels and icons pop out of the background - which I think was your intent, right?

Hi Gretchen and thanks for your feedback,

Yes you’re right. Slightly diffuse background and a stand-out foreground. Many of the maps that are designed with this backdrop palette are for festivals and sporting events. Major structures and points of interest are secondary, and are mostly there for orientation purposes. Quick and easy access to the foreground symbols being the major function.

A good example of this effect can be seen on this image, where the ‘Forsand Ferry’ boat appears to hover on the page. The secondary ‘Old Town’ structure although drawn with perspective should not dominate.

All the best to you.

Kevin Paul

[François Goulet]

Love it!!

Thanks for sharing!

[kevinpaulscarrott]

Love it!!

Thanks for sharing!

Hi Francois and thanks for your feedback,

What I am trying to encourage through my work is for cartographers to diversify into other areas of mapmaking and design where substantial rewards are available. Some of the more traditional mapmaking fields are becoming less attractive and harder to find projects in. I know that it is not an easy task to drop specialist technical skills that have perhaps been acquired over several years, but sometimes one has to weight up the situation and maybe diversify into areas that are more lucrative.

Personally I have had a tremendous amount of success over the last five years with the type of artwork that I am now specializing in, with very little competition around. I still miss the technical systems, but the money is rolling in. I hope to encourage as many as possible to utilize their skills in other profitable areas of cartography.

Have a great summer!

Best wishes,
Kevin Paul

Here is another example (the standard map has been rotated clockwise through 90°) of an annual event where the cartographer earns a yearly fee for updates and maintenance. If you can string a number of these together, the rewards are there for the taking:

Web version here

[DaveB]

Very nice! I like the whole design, the locator, the subtle gradient for the water, the locations highlighted with a sort of "bubble", the colors and type. Very pleasing design.

[kevinpaulscarrott]

Very nice! I like the whole design, the locator, the subtle gradient for the water, the locations highlighted with a sort of "bubble", the colors and type. Very pleasing design.

Hi Dave and thanks for the feedback,

I appreciate you taking the time to comment on the Stavanger Palette.

It's certainly encouraging to hear that this may be a workable design.

Motivation springs from constructive feedback.

Thanks again.

Best wishes,
Kevin Paul

tried allsorts before the bubble came to life: