POST 1 - 2/25/13 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aside from being an avid traveler and urban explorer, my roommate and host guests often in our apartment. Commonly our guests are Couchsurfers and they have landed from some foreign local with very little money and lots of curiousity. We invariably start sketching hand maps and making lists of must sees while in LA.

• Why am I making this map: Showcase my favorite places and have handy guides for visitors
• Why am I the expert to create this map: I have never ending curiousity to explore LA and have found some real hidden gems that I'd like to share
• Who is my target audience: Guests and friends
• Do I want my final project to be printed or digital: Both. Ultimately want to exhibit on a personal website AND have printed out for others to enjoy in 5x8 form 
• What level of detail do I need to include: My maps might have less detail, but I want to accompany them with contact info so that it's as easy to find these places as possible  (
• Dear class, I need your help/expertise/guidance on how to: I want to hone my Illustrator skills and drawing skills

My secondary objectives are to 

• Create a Paris vs. Los Angles map and collage series, similar to Paris vs. New York
• Create a series of maps of LA neighborhoods and possibly silkscreen them on posters
• Create a brochure type product to easily share with others

Below are my inital attempts at map drawing [2/25/13]

-> Hand drawing of my immediate neighborhood, Mar Vista

-> Using a Google map, I drew little landmarks on the Westside

-> A postcard I sent to my sister recapping what I did with my parents while they were here

-> First try at placing LA neighborhoods within the confines of a Paris map (a la Paris vs. NY). I know my LA neighborhoods inside and out, but need a refresher on the intricacies of Paris (I spent 6 mos in Paris in 2008)

POST 2 - 2/28/13 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I delve deeper into creating LA-centric maps, I've come across a wealth of information and ideas. There are so many curious and adventurous types in this weird city. 

Check out my pinterest board here: http://pinterest.com/cameron_hanson/maps-galore/

Here's a map that I've drawn for a birthday outing I'm having with friends this weekend. Instead of sending a recap email of the agenda, I drew a map!

I created this trifold brochure guide to Paris after I studied there for six months in 2008. Scores of friends have been the recipient of the guide and it's been quite gratifying to share my love of the city.