The Joy of Maps

As a Web designer, I like to approach the design of any site as efficiently as possible. Long before I even became interested in Web design, I stumbled upon the art of information architecture, which is basically a complex map of information. As a primarily visual learner, I took information architecture to the next level by expressing information visually as opposed to textually. My fascination with mapping led me to what I consider my primary source of inspiration: maps!
Here are some maps that I have found inspirational:




This is an informational map I created to show how the human digestive system works

This is a mind map I created

Sources for Mapping Everything:

Logarithmic Maps of the Universe
Create Informational Architecture
An awesome way to discover movies, music, and books you may like through maps!
Digg Maps
Amazing Data Maps
100 Things to do with Google Maps
I love maps, and it was my slight obsession with information architecture and mapping that led me to design Web sites. When I design sites, my number one priority is functionality and usability. If a site does not function, it does not matter how beautiful it is. Therefore, I turn to maps as a way of organizing the functions and style of a site.