Creative Gameplay Maps: Illustrate a Fantasy World

A course by Andrew Kolb , Illustrator & Author

Illustrator & Author. Kitchener, Canada.
Joined May 2022

Create cartographic pieces full of detail, texture, and wonder using Photoshop and InDesign.

96% positive reviews (51)
3,197 students
Audio: English
English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch

Create cartographic pieces full of detail, texture, and wonder using Photoshop and InDesign.

I've always been fascinated by maps because they help me understand the world.¨, says Andrew Kolb. Some are very technical, and others are true works of art, but at the end of the day, he believes they are all beautiful in their own way. As both an author and illustrator, Andrew has published two of his own children's books and game books and worked with companies such as Disney, Marvel, Target, and Penguin Random House.

In this online course, Andrew takes you step-by-step through the magical world of fantasy mapmaking. He shares his passion for the trade with you, guides you as you make decisions about the world you want to create, and explains how to use the digital tools you'll need to make a map of your own.

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What will you learn in this online course?

21 lessons & 21 downloads

Materials We Will Use
3 minutes, 42 seconds
Why I Love Maps
3 minutes, 30 seconds
Brainstorming 1
11 minutes, 46 seconds
Sketching
15 minutes, 16 seconds
Detailed Sketch 1
16 minutes, 3 seconds
Detailed Sketch 2
12 minutes, 41 seconds
  • 96% positive reviews (51)
  • 3,197 students
  • 21 lessons (4h 49m)
  • 21 additional resources (11 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: English
  • English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Develop a stylized and detailed gameplay map highlighting key landmarks of a fantasy setting.

Projects by course students

Who is this online course for?

Anyone who wants to learn how to develop fantastical cartography.

Requirements and materials

Pencil, eraser, sketchbook, scanner app, Photoshop, InDesign, and Drawing Tablet.


Reviews

3,197 Students
51 Reviews
96% Positive ratings

Andrew Kolb

A course by Andrew Kolb

Teacher Plus
Illustrator & Author

Andrew Kolb is an illustrator, author, and game designer from Ontario, Canada. Andrew began his career as a graphic designer, but his passion for drawing and storytelling drew him towards books and illustration. He has collaborated with a number of household names, including Disney, Marvel, Penguin Random House, and Funko. He has also published two of his own children’s books. An avid fan of the role-play game Dungeons & Dragons, he has tried his hand at writing books for role-play games as well.


Content

  • U1

    Introduction

    • About Me
    • My Influences
  • U2

    Preparation and Starting the Map

    • Materials We Will Use
    • Why I Love Maps
    • Brainstorming 1
    • Brainstorming 2
    • Sketching
    • Detailed Sketch 1
    • Detailed Sketch 2
  • U3

    Exploring Color and Final Artwork

    • Color Studies: Simple Palettes 1
    • Color Studies: Simple Palettes 2
    • Color Studies: Simple Palettes 3
    • Color Studies: Trying Other Options
    • Flat Shapes and Working with Layers 1
    • Flat Shapes and Working with Layers 2
    • Flat Shapes and Working with Layers 3
    • Using Texture
    • Typography 1
    • Typography 2
  • U4

    Expanding Outward or Inward

    • Building an Entire World
    • Final Tips
  • FP

    Final project

    • Creative Gameplay Maps: Illustrate a Fantasy World

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • Learn at your own pace

    Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

    Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

  • Certificates
    Plus

    If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

  • Get front-row seats

    Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

  • Share knowledge and ideas

    Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

  • Connect with a global creative community

    The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

  • Watch professionally produced courses

    Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.


FAQs

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.

You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.

If you're a Plus member, when you complete a course you've purchased, you'll instantly get your personalized certificate. You can see all your certificates in the Certificates section of your profile. You can download your certificates as PDFs and share the link online. Learn more about certificates.
Creative Gameplay Maps: Illustrate a Fantasy World. Illustration course by Andrew Kolb

Creative Gameplay Maps: Illustrate a Fantasy World

A course by Andrew Kolb
Illustrator & Author. Kitchener, Canada.
Joined May 2022
  • 96% positive reviews (51)
  • 3,197 students