Illustrated Public Park Maps
Client: Miami Dade County
County Park Hiking Trail Maps
These illustrated hiking trail maps were created for the Miami Dade County Parks and Recreation Department and feature trail systems across six county parks. The goal of the project was to provide clear, easy to understand overhead maps that help visitors navigate park trails while enjoying a visually appealing design. These maps were developed to support multiple uses, including integration into a mobile phone app and other digital and printed materials.
The county requested a clean overhead style that balances simplicity with illustration. Rather than overwhelming users with excessive detail, the maps focus on trail layout, access points, and key features that hikers need to orient themselves quickly. This approach makes the maps especially effective for use on mobile devices, where clarity and readability are essential.
Trail Maps Structure
Creating trail maps like these requires careful attention to accuracy, scale, and user experience. Each park presented its own layout and challenges, but the consistent visual language helps users move easily from one park map to another. The overhead perspective makes the trail networks familiar and intuitive, similar to how people naturally read traditional maps.
Illustrated hiking trail maps are a valuable resource for parks, nature preserves, and outdoor recreation areas. They improve wayfinding, enhance visitor safety, and encourage exploration while reinforcing the identity of the park system. This project highlights how custom map illustration can support public agencies, outdoor spaces, and digital platforms with clear and engaging visual communication.
PARK AND THEME PARK MAPS:
OVERHEAD MAPS:
PORTFOLIOS
- Illustration Portfolio: Start here for custom illustration and book covers. You can also browse illustrated maps and architectural rendering.
- Fine Art: I offer original paintings and drawings, including my Custom Halftone Series. You will also find mural work here.
- Graphic Design & Motion: View my graphic design portfolio. After that, explore motion design and animated illustrations.
- Maps by application: I create illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, transit and parking, towns and cities, parks, and wayfinding.
- Additional project types: I also produce cover illustration, vehicle and vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Illustration methods: My techniques include vector, isometric and axonometric, painting, black and white, GeoData maps, overhead maps, and custom halftones.
- Software portfolios: I work primarily in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and Adobe InDesign. For motion projects, I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. You can watch my demo reel here.