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When we last left MAPS FOR KIDS, designs were being filled with a range of juicy Ben-Day patterns. (Catch up with these details in Part 5.)
In addition to the fills, I’ve also developed branding, vector artwork, colors, layout, copy, and typography. But one critical piece was missing: labels. I hadn’t figured out how to label my darn diagrams yet.
For example, here is a label-free draft of my “Steam Locomotive” from late 2024.
It’s a naked diagram. But not for lack of trying. I’ve made a half dozen attempts at different label systems, including labels of things (wheel) and labels for what those things do (turn).
What’s the purpose of a label? To identify the name of a strange picture. To teach you a strange term for a familiar picture. To help emphasize a particular feature. To provide a scale. To offer warning. To highlight an update. To support accessibility. And on and on.
Do we even need labels? Most of Marie Neurath’s work for children are pure illustration. For example, here’s her Tower Bridge from I’ll Show You How it Happens (1948).
If she didn’t need labels, why do I?
For a moment, I considered rejecting labels, believing that successful artwork should be able to stand without text. I want a small child to enjoy it—without any reading necessary.
But the posters aren’t just for small children. I hope that an extra layer of letters will encourage an adult or older kid to help that small child see even more. As the MAPS FOR KIDS logo suggests, it's the kind of experience a parent and child can enjoy together.
For the steam locomotive, I've tried a swim lane of labels beneath the diagram, direct labels, capital letters keyed to the descriptive text [ tender (T) ], and cursive text hidden in the line art.
Unhappy, I appealed to fresh eyes, asking two friends give me advice. Not only are they each a champion information designer, they also each share my enthusiasm for Marie Neurath’s work.
Next I will share how their advice steered me toward a labeling solution.
But first, I’m spilling my guts—getting personal and showing my secrets. It is too sensitive to share completely in public, so the rest of this edition is for paying subscribers.
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