A Cartivale map theme

Abstract

Look at the map as a composition. Abstract gives geographic shapes a bolder voice through colour fields, reduced detail and open space. The place is still there; you decide what draws the eye.

Compose with Abstract

In the studio, choose Abstract under Theme, then pick a style.

Valencia · Cubist City · Made with Cartivale

Geography, loosely held

Roads divide the page and larger geographic areas become part of a graphic arrangement. The styles explore different levels of simplification, from softer relationships to emphatic blocks. Compared with Geometric, Abstract leaves more room for changes in mood and composition. Typographic gives text you add a stronger visual role; it doesn’t put a place name or any other words into the map for you.

Find your starting style

Graphic and Bold Geometry favour strong fields. Organic softens the rhythm, Primary Grid brings primary colours, and Pastel Forms quietens the palette. Typographic makes room for your own lettering. Starry Streets adds flowing paint, Fauvist Shapes uses flat organic colour, Pointillist builds optical pigment fields, and Cubist City introduces geographic planes. Art Nouveau follows geography with flowing contours; Screenprint uses bold ink fields and controlled overprints.

Graphic
Mexico City
Organic
Amsterdam
Primary Grid
Chicago
Typographic
Chicago
Pastel Forms
Marrakesh
Bold Geometry
Tokyo
Starry Streets
Wellington
Fauvist Shapes
Guanajuato
Pointillist
Savannah
Cubist City
Valencia
Art Nouveau
Paris
Screenprint
Buenos Aires

Compose around a favourite shape

Pan and zoom until a bend, junction or open area gives the page a centre of gravity. Change colours to pull one part forward. With the text and shape tools, you can add a second point of interest—or leave the map to speak on its own.

How it works