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Mapmaking Competition Winners

by Fantasy Map Maker on August 25, 2010

The judges’ decisions are in and all scores from the mapmaking competition have been tallied. It was a close race, and all contestants should be proud of their effort.

I know everyone just wants to know who won, so I’ll save the rest of my comments for the bottom of the post. Here are the winners:

1st Place – $100 ProFantasy Voucher

The Land of Mórthyr, by Warren Godone-Maresca

The Land of Mórthyr, by Warren Godone-Maresca

The Land of Mórthyr, by Warren Godone-Maresca

Here are some of the judges comments:

That’s a beautiful map! I dig the way you’ve done the sea texture around the coast.

This is a very striking piece. Both textures and font-pick are great giving it a nice authentic look.

I like the consistency in the symbols used. They all contribute to an overall style that ties the piece together.

2nd Place – $50 ProFantasy Voucher

Lands of the Shan'Gali, by Joachim de Ravenbel

Lands of the Shan'Gali, by Joachim de Ravenbel

Lands of the Shan’Gali, by Joachim de Ravenbel

Here are some of the judges comments:

Very striking and original. I keep wanting to look at the cool mountains and not the buildings.

Very smart piece.

I love how it tells a story in itself. As usual, your cut-away maps blow you away with their detail.

3rd Place – $25 ProFantasy Voucher

Two participants came in a dead tie for 3rd place, so it looks like I get to pony up another $25 to make sure they both get the rewards they deserve.

Gragmoor Quarry, by Nick Pelletier

Gragmoor Quarry, by Nick Pelletier

Gragmoor Quarry, by Nick Pelletier

Here are some of the judges comments:

Perfect example of a functional map, and it proves that maps without all the ‘arty-stuff’ can look great.

A good map that has everything I expect: organic looking village structure, legend, compass. Easy to read, good layout.

[I]t’s a great map that clearly lays out an interesting location. I could pick this up and use this in a game with no trouble at all.

Lune Fi - Latoon Regional Map, by AkherQursan

Lune Fi - Latoon Regional Map, by AkherQursan

Lune Fi – Latoon Regional Map, by AkherQursan

Here are some of the judges comments:

Very stylish with a strategy video game look.

That’s a wonderful map, with great typography.

I love the textures and color palette you used. Also the mapping elements you used are very refreshing giving it a real fantasy look.

Closing Comments

First of all, let me thank the judges for all their help. Not only were their cartography skills instrumental in scoring the contestants, but I believe they provided excellent feedback that will help the contestants improve their own skills.

As I said before, all the participants did a great job in this contest. The remaining contestants were not far behind the 3rd place winners. I hope you all enjoyed the competition and learned from the process and feedback, whether you ended up with a prize or not.

To the winners – I will send your voucher codes to you shortly, via the email you used to submit your map.

Thanks again to everyone one who judged, participated and even those who just observed. If you have any suggestions on how to improve for the next contest, please leave them in the comments below.

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Vote for the Best Fantasy Map

All the entries have been posted and it’s time for everyone to cast their vote. Even if you’re not a judge, you can still rate each map. Just click on the links here to visit the page for each map and use the stars below each post to rate it.

Here are the contestants:

Gragmoor Quarry, by Nick Pelletier

Kins’Rin, by Duncan Peterson

Lune Fi – Latoon Regional Map, by AkherQursan

The Free Kingdoms, by Sven Myrin

Dungeon Stronghold of a Planar Lord, by Mrrkyllothur

Nyhem, by Pär Lindström

The Land of Mórthyr, by Warren Godone-Maresca

Lands of the Shan’Gali, by Joachim de Ravenbel

Mount Celestia – Lunia, by Shessar

OK, now get out there and vote!

Also, please leave (civil) comments and criticism for the artists on their posts. Participation in mapmaking competitions are great if you win, but they’re also a good chance to get feedback.

Our judges will also be checking out the maps over the next few days. Prize winners will be announced next Wednesday, August 25th.

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Mount Celestia – Lunia, by Shessar

August 19, 2010
Mount Celestia - Lunia

This is a mapmaking competition entry from Shessar. Lunia … The Silver Heaven … Entry into the Plane of Law and Goodness … Forever night, lit by an endless expanse of silver stars, Lunia is a place of beauty, peace, sparkling fountains and endless wonder … An isometric view of Lunia seemed the only way [...]

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Lands of the Shan’Gali, by Joachim de Ravenbel

August 19, 2010
Lands of the Shan'Gali, by Joachim de Ravenbel

This is a mapmaking competition entry from Joachim de Ravenbel. Software used CC3 / DD3 and a home-made application do design interlacing and export to CC3. Summary It’s a map I designed for a RPG campain with my kids. The Shan’Gali are an ancient race now long forgotten but for the most knowledgeable scholars. They [...]

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Terra Incognita Gallery Show

August 17, 2010
Thumbnail image for Terra Incognita Gallery Show

I just got back from TERRA INCOGNITA: Maps of Imaginary Worlds at the Soho Gallery for Digital Art. The gallery features lots of maps by many fantasy artists from Cartographers’ Guild. The maps are displayed on large-screen monitors so you can get up close and really see the details. If you’re inclined to take one [...]

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The Land of Mórthyr, by Warren Godone-Maresca

August 16, 2010
The Land of Mórthyr, by Warren Godone-Maresca

This is a mapmaking competition entry from Warren Godone-Maresca. Software Used The map was made in GIMP. The mountain brushes are from http://pickebu.deviantart.com/, the hill and tree brushes are from http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?10221-TG-Map-Elements-(Free), and the compass is from http://www.clker.com/. Map Design The land mass came from some rendered clouds to which I applied a threshold. Then I [...]

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Nyhem, by Pär Lindström

August 15, 2010
Nyhem Map

This is a mapmaking competition entry from Pär Lindström. Design notes I decided to make a city map for the competition. The map is done in both CD3 and Photoshop CS5. All the houses (except the circular arena in the middle of the town) are done in CD 3. But to spice things up I [...]

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Dungeon Stronghold of a Planar Lord, by Mrrkyllothur

August 14, 2010
Dungeon Stronghold of a Planar Lord

This is a mapmaking competition entry from Mrrkyllothur. Software used CC2 (floor plan), PSP8 (editing), PS7 (post work), Map Tools v1.3.b63 (dungeon dressing) Background patterns were made from textures supplied by freaky665.deviantart.com A few viewers might recognize my old school style of mapping from the Cartographer’s Guild. When making maps I try to design them [...]

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