3D Maps for Documentary on the Polish Border

•

Simon Puech, a renowned French content creator specializing in geopolitical and societal themes. Following his impactful reports from war-torn regions in Ukraine and Afghanistan, Simon ventures to Poland, Europe's doorstep, to explore and document the treatment of migrants in the borderland between Poland and Belarus.

01 • The Request

Simon approached me with a unique request: to craft 3D maps that would not only contextualize his journey and on-ground observations but also bolster the narrative of his documentary. The challenge was to design maps that enable viewers to trace Simon's path visually while supporting the documentary's thematic content.

02 • Inspiration & Branding

Simon Puech's aesthetic can be described as a blend of brutalism and minimalism. Drawing from this, we collaboratively curated a set of references to guide my design process, aiming to reflect Simon's distinct visual style in the maps I created.

03 • Design Challenges

The project presented several challenges from the onset:

1.How do we highlight necessary information for understanding while maintaining a minimalist style?
2.How do we source reliable topological data?

Our goal was to establish a streamlined process that could facilitate the generation of multiple maps without sacrificing quality or clarity.

03.1 • Experimentation

Over two weeks of testing, we achieved a minimalist, monochromatic, and legible map format. Key decisions included:

• Displaying only the relevant areas focused by Simon (e.g., when Poland is mentioned, only Poland is visible).

• Differentiating elevations by using slightly darker shades for higher altitudes, adding depth and a brutalist concrete effect.

• Incorporating lasers projected directly onto the maps to simulate realistic models. These lasers also added contrast to the terrain by reflecting light.

03.2 • Data Reliability & Precision

Given the sensitive and serious nature of the subject, accuracy was paramount. We avoided assumptions and interpretations in both Simon's narration and the illustrative content.

• Points of interest were based on maps provided by Polish authorities.

• Topographical information was sourced from the heightmapper of the Tangram project by Mapzen, an open-source initiative under the Linux Foundation.

• Borders were delineated using a combination of satellite imagery and outlines from Google Maps.

04 • Motion design & Graphics

To create the distinctive laser effects, I made 2D motion graphics in black and white. The 2D animations and 3D camera movements were carefully synchronized with Simon's commentary.

• The iconography is a mix of IBM's Carbon design system icons and my own designs inspired by them.

• Each map features GPS coordinates in the top left corner and Simon's logo, designed by typographer Léo (Travisuals) Villars, in the bottom right corner.

05 • Conclusion

This project represents a confluence of geopolitical narrative and innovative 3D mapping, offering viewers a unique lens through which to understand complex border dynamics. Through meticulous design and data curation, we've crafted an immersive experience that complements Simon Puech's insightful exploration of the Polish border and its socio-political implications.