Which one is better?

[Nanakawaichan]

I made a map for my story

Dark Moon : Rise of The Dark King (Please add the rewrite ver)

Please add the rewrite version. https://www.scribblehub.com/series/270448/dark-moon--rise-of-the-dark-king/

www.scribblehub.com

Which one more suitable?

Or

Please give your opinion why you choose it.

 

[Blitz]

First one.I understand that the second ones going for an old and worn map look but the first one is so much more pleasing to the eyes in comparison. The second one might be better if the brown shading wasn't so intense I think.

Also add a poll so people can vote

 

[aree]

first one, hands down

 

[BenJepheneT]

sorry but as an aesthetic man, I'm going for numero dos

there's definitely a heavy shade of rustic brown but I could still read the words so that's no problem

 

[Nanakawaichan]

First one.I understand that the second ones going for an old and worn map look but the first one is so much more pleasing to the eyes in comparison. The second one might be better if the brown shading wasn't so intense I think.

Also add a poll so people can vote

Thank you for your advice.

 

[Elim]

First one for sure. It's vivid and much easier to see than the second. Sure the second one makes it look more ancient and worn. But what matters is the visibility and clarity. Reinforcing the above answers ^^

 

[UndyingEmbers]

I like the first one. Wish I had the talent to draw a map for my story lol. Nice work!

 

[Silvareiel]

First one is more catchy and at the same time easier to read / follow. I for once love novels with maps and if there's a quest going on I do take the time to "track" the characters' quest, as where they go from here to there and so on. First one is somehow easier on the eyes.
If I may ask, did you draw them from scratch?

 

[TheIcMan]

Okay okay, first of all, this is amazing, the first one in particular.

Next I’m curious, just like the guy above. I recognize the font to be from Campfire, but did you use photoshop or something similar to outline and decorate the actual map?

 

[Nanakawaichan]

@UndyingEmbers @lastaldrianmain @Silvareiel I made it with inkarnate.com, their features is perfect for drawing map. You can found the tutorial on YouTube.

 

[Nanakawaichan]

As everyone else has said, the first, both in terms of overall aesthetics and readability.

FWIW, if you wanna do a sort of "aged" map look, the second one doesn't work. It's essentially just an ultra bright brown bloom and doesn't look aged at all, it just looks like the first map with a brown-red overlay, or maybe a photo of a map that has aged. When paper ages, the opposite happens -- it becomes paler and loses pigmentation. Ink fades, especially in areas that get more exposure or handling (i.e. the edges of the paper, where hands/fingers are constantly rubbing it). The browning is caused by buildup of dirt and filth, as well as the ink discolouring due to exposure.

This is a quick and dirty job and I don't claim to be much of a graphic designer, but ageing for paper would look a little more like this:

Spoiler

Wow, thank you.
Actually it's doesn't have to be an old map since my story not take place in middle ages. I just want my map a little old since the first map looks too colourful for my story.

 

[Yorda]

My personal favourite, number 1, the more colourful one.

Most people can only dream of having story maps that look this good!

 

[Abnormia]

The first one caught my attention.

 

[RinDes]

To be perfectly honest, I believe both to be equally interesting. And it all comes down to the actual purpose for the map: both are different in style, and the contrast makes for an interesting combo. But if I personally had to choose, I'd go with the second one; its antique style more my cup of tea.