Illustrated Guest Map - Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Illustrated Map

2013 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Map: A Modern Transformation

Artist, Illustrator, Designer: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Show Management
For information about the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show visit FLIBS.com

Vertical sign version

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Map Sign

The 2013 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) marked a pivotal year in the evolution of its official map. Embracing new technology and design methodology, I undertook a comprehensive redesign to fundamentally improve its accuracy, versatility, and visual presentation.

The most significant advancement was the adoption of SketchUp Pro as a core design tool. This allowed me to rebuild the entire map from the ground up as a detailed three dimensional digital model. The scope was substantial, encompassing the full show footprint from Bahia Mar south through the Swimming Hall of Fame and down to Las Olas Marina. Constructed with a focus on precise scale and placement, this model served as a single, authoritative source of truth for the event's geography.

This new 3D approach offered unprecedented flexibility. The map could now be rendered from any angle or zoom level, allowing for dynamic views that ranged from expansive aerial overviews to focused shots. This versatility ensured the illustration could meet a wide array of promotional and informational needs while maintaining perfect consistency across all views.

Custom map from the same model
Client: Burgess Yachts

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Map flyer

Refining the Visual Language

With the shift to a more realistic 3D environment, I reconsidered how to best represent the hundreds of vessels in the show. Concerned that detailed boat models might be misinterpreted as literal representations of specific yachts, I introduced a stylistic solution. In this 2013 map, the boats are rendered as translucent, ghost like forms, a deliberate choice to indicate their implied, non specific presence.

The navigational keying system saw minor stylistic refinements but maintained its user friendly, color coded logic by area, with amenities clearly indicated by graphical icons. For the surrounding negative space, I introduced a textured sandy background with a subtle dimpled pattern, evoking the coastal setting without distracting from the map's functional clarity.

An Expanded Toolkit and Scope

This project reflected a matured production workflow, now utilizing four specialized software packages in concert, including Adobe Illustrator for final graphic refinement. The scope of work for the 2013 show also expanded beyond the main map. Additional deliverables included a detailed map of the Broward County Convention Center exhibits, a dedicated Transportation Map, supplementary maps for the Hilton Marina and Sails Marina, and a series of directional signs, creating a fully cohesive visual system for the event.

This year represented a major step forward, blending technical precision with thoughtful design to create a more robust and adaptable illustrative tool for one of the marine industry's most important showcases.

This map is part of a continuing series. To see the progression of this work, you can view the maps from the 2012 FLIBS and 2011 FLIBS.

For more examples of complex illustrative cartography and environmental graphics, please visit my full Illustration Portfolio.