Illustrated Sri Lanka Maps
This project, illustrating maps of Sri Lanka and Galle Fort, felt like a glorious voyage into nostalgia and elegance! The client’s brief was to create beautiful wall art for their boutique hotel collection. It’s a chain with mid-century modern, post-colonial designed interiors, and guests step into a world where the golden era of travel meets the vibrant culture of Sri Lanka. Influences that made my illustration style (with vintage textures, vibrant colours and culturally inspired lettering) the obvious choice!
A Nostalgic Voyage
Two large format map illustrations were required, to highlight points of interest, teem with detail, and indicate the locations of each of their properties.
These maps were not just decorative pieces but integral to the hotel's ambiance, setting the tone for a luxurious and leisurely experience. While also serving as immersive itinerary guides, allowing guests to plan their excursions over drinks and breakfasts!
My mission aesthetically, was to create something bespoke and original to complement the vintage travel posters already adorning the walls, echoing the brand’s visual messaging.
Capturing Daily Life
My unique drawing style was perfect for exploring the the delights of the country; my digital collage approach, fusing form and texture, brought places of natural beauty to life. While my eclectic style allowed for harmonious representation of ancient shrines and architectural styles. Narrative illustration was the perfect medium to capture Sri Lanka’s religious diversity and multiculturalism with sensitivity. I loved creating little illustrated scenes, of people engaging in daily activities, telling human stories in a way that’s relatable and sincere.
A Palette of Inspiration
It was crucial to stay true to the brand colours, yet I always find my own spark through research! Influences such as the greens of the sea, and intricacies of local architecture also fed into the palette I selected. In this way, brand themes are incorporated to a final piece that always retains my unique signature. When communicating with a discerning audience, it’s important that messaging is understated.
Inviting Guests to Stay
My hand-crafted, culturally inspired lettering, paired with vintage textures and a vibrant color palette, brought out the archival travel ad vibe. By infusing rich stories into the illustrations, I highlighted local culture and history, fostering a deeper bond with the guests. This not only matched the hotel's brand but also evoked warmth and trust, inviting guests to start a luxurious journey and encouraging them to stay!
Connect with Me
If you're intrigued by illustrated maps and the stories they tell, I invite you to explore my portfolio. Whether you're a corporation, a design group, or a travel industry professional, let's collaborate to create art that resonates with your audience! Together, we can craft illustrations that convey information, communicate brand messages, and create visual identities that inspire and connect.