Speaking from experience: Maps

Maps of leeds city centre

Maps of Leeds - Second hand shops located

Map designs


Visual hierarchies - simple monochrome graphic design guide

Visual layout 

Key elements for designing a map:

1.  Begin by defining your purpose and your audience

2.  Make your map a story

3.  Keep it simple

4. Direct the viewer’s eye

5.  Design for a viewing distance

Unconventional Maps

Info-graphics map

Levi's Loves

Local illustrators were chosen to interpret the theme Levi's® Loves Local for Levi's® South Africa. The graphics will initially be used for a range of T-shirts and later for Levi's® 

merchandise. The shape of Africa had to be part of the design, showing South Africa clearly.

Sources:

www.viamichelin.co.uk

maps.google.co.uk

http://makingmaps.net/

http://landtrustgis.org/technology/advanced/design
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Levis-Loves-Local/366284