Cartography

Atlantia A&S Criteria

This category includes the production of maps in a medieval or renaissance style.

Information also available as PDF.

DOCUMENTATION (0-30 points. SCORE 0-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3):

Must have at least “EZ Doc” information. More is acceptable, although one or two pages (not counting visuals and bibliography) should be more than enough. If your documentation is more than three pages for exceptionally detailed and in-depth work, you should provide an executive summary. The best documentation will cover what they did in period, what the creator did in the project, and why the difference (if any). It will explain any conscious compromises made, and provide footnotes, illustrations, and references, as well as any original research or experimentation as it applies to the project. Score based on the following considerations:

  • A minimum of: what it is, where is it from, when is it from, and references;
  • Materials used in the project (type of inks and paper);
  • Techniques and tools used during the process (type of pens, type of ink, other tools);
  • Research (country, period of origin, typical characteristics, etc.);
  • Use of the entry/style of cartography;
  • Description of style or school characteristics or discussion of logic applied to design of entry;
  • Artistic design and appropriateness of choices for intended purpose.

AUTHENTICITY (0-20 points) [SCORE 0-10 and then DOUBLE THE SCORE]:

  • 0: Clearly modern (Ex. modern in alphabet design or materials, such as lined paper);
  • 1: Out of period piece, but some knowledge of what would have been correct;
  • 2: Use of period looking or actual period lettering style and map depiction;
  • 3: Use of calligraphy pen and period-looking ink on period looking paper or parchment paper. Steel nib pens or fountain pens are all right. No use of felt tip pens. Apparent knowledge or application of period practice;
  • 4: Generally period, with some obviously modern elements, or obvious mixture of elements for different cultures or periods (ex. Gothic lettering with early Italian style depiction);
  • 5-6: Lettering, period; materials period or reasonable equivalents; overall period style and execution, with minor inconsistencies (ex. layout ) Drawn in a period style so a period navigator could use it;
  • 7-8: Minor flaws in period fashion and perspective (not necessarily to modern scale), but done with period materials;
  • 9-10: Above, plus special effort to achieve total period effect (Ex. Looks like a period map with countries, waters, cities, etc, named and put in proper period perspective); special effort to make entirely authentic and appropriate.

COMPLEXITY (1-10 points):

Rank the ambition of the entry, not the workmanship, keeping in mind that not all period items are complex. Judge on a scale of 1-10 based on the following:

  • Layout, margins and spacing; 
  • Difficulty/variety of design elements used;
  • Difficulty of depiction and perspective styles, color changes, use of pen flourishes and other enhancements;
  • Difficulty/variety of materials (ink, pens/nibs for lettering and map depiction, pigments, parchment or paper, etc.);
  • Difficulty of composition tried (layout, proportion, balance, etc.);
  • Scope of undertaking (size of work relative to amount of detail);
  • Difficulty/variety of techniques attempted—charted, mapped, drawn, colored;
  • Extent of original work or ideas.

WORKMANSHIP (3-30 points. SCORE 1-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3):

Rank the quality of execution and success of the entry on a scale of 1-10, considering the following:

  • Use of effective layout, margins, spacing and nibs for style of lettering and map perspective;
  • Lines straight, letters well spaced, forms consistent;
  • Control of medium (neatness, ink density, etc.);
  • Letter and work spacing;
  • Design: period aesthetics, motifs, design (note: period sense of balance and proportion is not necessarily the same as modern) etc.;
  • General proportioning (layout, proportion, balance, margins, etc.);
  • Successful integration of personal embellishments and symbolism;
  • Form/Function: does it do what it should do and look as it should look?;
  • Period styling or personalization or special embellishment.

OVERALL IMPRESSION (1-10 points):

Evaluate the work as a whole, rating the complete effect and appeal beyond the mere technical proficiency. Consider how you react to the entry (intuitive response) and other items not previously addressed.