Revolutionizing Cartography: Illustrated Map of Sao Joao da Madeira

Jose Miguel Cardoso's Award-Winning Design Merges Art and Geography

The inspiration behind this design is deeply rooted in the history of Portuguese discoveries and the golden era of Dutch painting. Cardoso's map is a tribute to the tradition of creating Portulano charts, which were used by early navigators to explore uncharted territories. The design is also influenced by the idea of drawing as a means of self-discovery and understanding the world around us.

What sets Cardoso's map apart from others is its unique approach to representing the city of Sao Joao da Madeira. The map presents a solution to the paradox between the freedom and uncertainty of observational drawing and the accuracy and security of cartographic representation. The observer is placed at the center of the map, surrounded by a 360-degree panorama of the city landscape, offering a direct relationship between the map and the surrounding landscape. This design can be read upside down, breaking the convention of North being at the top, and stimulating a sense of place.

The map was realized through a meticulous process involving 24 very slow contour observational drawings, made with a BIC ballpoint pen on paper. The illustrations were then refined using Adobe Illustrator software, and the map layout was created with Adobe Indesign. The final product measures 680mm x 680mm when unfolded, and 170mm x 170mm when folded.

The design was commissioned by the Parish Council of the city of Sao Joao da Madeira and was launched at the 8th Illustration Meeting in October 2016. The panoramic view was drawn from the top of the City Hall building, offering a perspective of the city usually inaccessible to citizens. The project faced several challenges, including gaining access to a location with a 360-degree panoramic view and scheduling drawing sessions around the availability of various offices and employees.

Cardoso's Illustrated Map of Sao Joao da Madeira is a testament to the power of design in changing our perception of the world around us. It is a product of extensive research, questioning how drawing can change the perception of the landscape and if there is a Genius Loci that demands its own description. The map is a "tailored to the body" representation of places, and it has been adopted by agents of the tourist areas of Portugal, stimulating the meaning, memory, and identity of places. This innovative design approach has earned Cardoso the Silver A' Design Award, a prestigious accolade awarded to designs that showcase outstanding expertise and innovation.