Illustrated Map

Discover the magic of Illustrated Maps: create your map online with Icograms Designer

Our unique online designer with thousands of icons allows to create illustrations by yourself. It's easy and free to try.

What you can create using Icograms Designer

Have you ever looked at a map and felt like you could step right into it? That’s the magic of an illustrated map. It’s not your average GPS view or blueprint-style layout. Nope, this is where art meets cartography. You’re not just navigating a place—you’re experiencing it through pictures, charm, and storytelling. And yes, with an online map maker, you can create your own map without even picking up a pencil.

Let’s dive into the world of map illustration design.


What Is an Illustrated Map?

An illustrated map—also known as a pictorial map, panoramic map, or perspective map—is a creative and artistic representation of a place. Rather than focusing on the exact scale and accuracy of GPS, it shows buildings, streets, and landmarks in a way that tells a story.

You've probably seen a few examples of illustrated maps! These maps often show places in a three-quarter view, also called a bird’s-eye view map, which helps people see buildings from the side and top at the same time.


Why Are Illustrated Maps So Popular?

Because they’re fun and informative. And let’s be honest—map illustration design just looks cool. You get the information you need, but also a touch of personality.

Illustrated maps are:

  • Great for orientation: People easily find landmarks and paths.
  • Memorable: Who forgets a map full of color and characters?
  • Shareable: They’re practically made for social media, flyers, or brochures.
  • Customizable: You can design them in your company colors and add logos or even mascots!

  • From campuses and theme parks to medieval cities, they’re the perfect travel guides.

    How to Create an Illustrated Map (Without Drawing!)

    You don't need to be a professional artist to make your own map. Using Icograms Designer — an illustrated map generator — you can create stunning visuals online with drag-and-drop simplicity. All you need to create a map illustration design is your idea.

    With Icograms, you can design panoramic cityscapes, theme park guides, or smart city layouts in minutes. You can:

  • Choose from hundreds of icons, buildings, and landmarks.
  • Arrange them in your layout in an isometric view.
  • Add your custom labels, colors, and logos.
  • Export your artwork to a variety of graphic formats.

  • Where You’ve Seen Illustrated Maps

    Here are a few popular illustrated map examples you’ve probably come across:

  • Theme park maps with roller coasters, snack stalls, and cartoon mascots.
  • University campuses that highlight dorms, libraries, and dining halls.
  • Historical city maps from the Renaissance showing bustling marketplaces and steeples.
  • Tourist maps in hotels and brochures, marking out must-see sights.

  • They work just as well in the real world as they do in fantasy settings—think RPG maps, storybook towns, or even space stations.

    Where Design Meets Technology

    With our online map creator, you can combine traditional storytelling with digital ease. It’s like combining a sketchbook with a smart editor. You can:

  • Save multiple versions.
  • Reuse icons or templates.
  • Export for print, web, or social.

  • You’re not just making a map. You’re crafting an experience—a visual journey. That’s what makes illustrated map design so engaging.

    Ready to Start Your Own Illustrated Map?

    Let’s take a look at Icograms Designer, an illustrated map generator. It’s perfect for:

  • Business owners or marketing managers looking to create “You Are Here” maps.
  • Event organizers designing user-friendly layouts.
  • Teachers helping students create projects with flair.
  • Urban planners, game developers, or even wedding coordinators.

  • Whether you want to make a pictorial map, a whimsical panoramic map, or a hyper-detailed isometric map, there’s a tool that makes it possible.
    So, are you ready to become a mapmaker and see your city, school, or story come to life? Start drawing. Start dreaming. And let an illustrated map do the rest.

    How to work with Icograms Designer

    Icograms Designer is an online vector graphic editor with an extensive built-in graphics collection. Our graphic library currently contains over 1,026 icons and 5,064 templates across a wide range of categories. This collection is continuously growing as we regularly add new icons and templates.

    You can start your project from scratch or customize one of our templates.

    To get started from scratch

    • Open Icograms Designer
    • Drag and drop icons to the work area
    • Utilize clone tools and copy/paste functions to increase efficiency
    • Move, resize, and recolor icons to find the best solution
    • Add text and symbols to enhance your design.
    • Upload your own graphics if needed
    • Export the created graphics

    To get started from a template

    • Choose a suitable template
    • Drag and drop additional graphics if necessary
    • Insert your own text using text boxes
    • Customize your design by changing colors, fonts, and icons
    • Upload your own graphics if needed
    • Export the created graphics

    Illustrated Map related Templates

    Fairground - Camping Map
    Fairground - Camping Map
    Fairground - Event Map
    Fairground - Event Map
    Premium template icon Hospital Site Map Tempalte
    Hospital Site Map Tempalte
    Festival of the Arts
    Festival of the Arts
    Football Stadium Map
    Football Stadium Map
    Sunflower Festival
    Sunflower Festival
    Premium template icon Stadium Complex Map
    Stadium Complex Map
    You Are Here Map Template
    You Are Here Map Template
    Campus Club & Society Fair
    Campus Club & Society Fair
    Premium template icon Thriathlon Championship Course Map
    Thriathlon Championship Course Map
    Farmers Market Vendor Map
    Farmers Market Vendor Map
    Premium template icon Urban Green Spaces - Park
    Urban Green Spaces - Park
    City Yellow
    City Yellow
    Residential Community
    Residential Community