Introduction to Mapmaking: Draw Your World!

Completed by 6 learners

Ages 11-16

Live One-Time Class

In this 1-hour long introduction style course, students are introduced to map creation for worldbuilding through guided drawing and discussion.

Andrew Voss

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(204 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

2-12 learners per class

60 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

1 in-class hours

Class Experience

This course will teach students all about fictional and fantasy mapping. I love creating maps, and I have dedicated many years to learning different styles and strategies of mapping. Something about designing a world from scratch has always driven me to practice and hone my mapping abilities. I will teach students concepts and planning strategies, as well as how to draw landmasses, forests, deserts, labels, and more! By the end of the class, students will have all they need to know for mapping. They will also have a map of their own created! 

Please consider the age requirement of 11-16 year olds. Older or younger students may be accepted, but I require that students are able to follow guided instruction and respect others and our time. Thanks!

Students can use these map drawing strategies for fictional worldbuilding or realistic worldbuilding. Creativity is in your hands!

Below is a guide to what students can expect from the class! Note that this is a well-paced class that gives students opportunities to ask questions and work on their maps as we go through the entire session. 

Introduction to Fictional Mapping
1.	Greeting and Introducing ourselves
2.	What will we learn/What do we hope to achieve by the end of class
3.	Basic mapping concepts
4.	Pre-mapping checklist
a.	What is a possible inspiration or end goal for this map? 
b.	Will I need one landmass or multiple landmasses?
c.	What style will this map require?
d.	Will I start from the inside out or outside in? 
e.	Will this be part of an extended world map? 
f.	Sketching utensils and useful tools
5.	Landmasses VS Bodies of water
a.	Take your time: Realistic geometry
b.	Best tips for reducing common shape mistakes
c.	Ensuring adequate room for biomes and/or labeling
d.	Showing contrast between land and water
6.	Geographic features
a.	Flat vs Elevated Terrain
i.	Plains/Grassland
ii.	Hills/Mountains
b.	Forests
c.	Deserts
d.	Rivers and Lakes
e.	Deltas
7.	Labeling
a.	Settlement placement
b.	Capital, Major Cities, Towns, and Villages
c.	Roads
d.	Borders
e.	Name Labels
8.	Finish up polishes
9.	What can I do with my map in the future? 

If this course interests you, please don't hesitate to ask me questions! I am happy to accommodate any needs and give more information. I hope to hear from you soon!

Learning Goals

Understand mapping concepts and planning strategies
Understand icons and sketching strategies for land and bodies of water
Understand how to sketch some land features
Understand how to add labels to a map
Understand how the students can use their maps in the future

Other Details

Supply List

Notebook or sheets of paper
Pen and Pencil
Optional: Colored Pencils or Markers
Optional: Ruler or straightedge for precise lines

1 file available upon enrollment

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Meet the teacher

Andrew Voss

Joined May, 2020

5.0

204reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

I've been making maps my entire life, even when I was a child. It has always been a passion of mine, and I took mapping classes in college involving Geography, Geographic Information Systems and Mapping History. I've designed and utilized maps in both professional settings such as a university research symposium and capstone project, as well as for my own creativity in writing and mapping community activities.