This illustrated map of the Chicagoland Speedway was one of a series of maps produced by the Map Network for NASCAR, showcasing the Map Network's new offering of illustrated 3D maps for interactive online visitor guides.
Completed on a tight turnaround, these maps required the production department to quickly and uniformly work together to produce maps that were both visually stunning and retain a consistent style across multiple maps produced by multiple teams of artists. As an illustrator, I helped to develop the style and technique of illustrating the racetrack elements such as the infield buildings, score towers, and elements such as light towers, track lines, and map typography.
Created for The Map Network and based on a NAVTEQ base map, I gave this online map graphic a 3D appearance by illustrating the infield buildings and layout as well as elements outside the track, and adding special lighting to the vehicle tunnel under the track. I was also charged with showing our intern how to illustrate 3D buildings based on the principle of isometric perspective. All work was done in Adobe Illustrator.
Close-up views of the Chicagoland Speedway Map. To achieve the 3D effect, I began with an overhead 2D base map of the racetrack, and then super-imposed a satellite image of the actual racetrack over the base map. From there, using ground-view photo references, I illustrated the buildings and racetrack features using upwards isometric modeling for the 3D perspective.
Individual illustrated buildings for various NASCAR raceway maps. To achieve the 3D effect, I began with an overhead 2D base map of the racetrack, and then super-imposed a satellite image of the actual racetrack over the base map. From there, using ground- view photo references, I illustrated the buildings and racetrack features using upwards isometric modeling for the 3D perspective.
The NASCAR racetrack maps were the first 3D online maps produced by the Map Network, and the first maps where I had to illustrate structures on the map with consistent upward isometric modeling. The sketches here illustrate two things: one shows the sketch of a grandstand building, emphasizing where I would have to build an initial vector graphic construction to accurately show the right details from the right angle. The other sketches I made to demonstrate to coworkers and interns how to create isometric views by keeping consistent angles and using the same vector line in different areas of the structure.
