When it comes to custom maps design, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The way a map is presented can dramatically affect how easily users understand and navigate a space. While traditional top-down maps are functional, alternative styles like isometric maps offer a more engaging and visually intuitive way to represent environments- especially in complex or vertical spaces.
Maps are sometimes drawn as Isometric 3D maps. These are often used to show the shapes and relative heights of things like buildings, trees, or other features, which are not shown well in normal top-down view. This custom maps design style may be intentionally used to make the map look more appealing than just a top down view like regular maps, it’s very commonly used in video games. These maps result in maps with geometry not matching the real world, but can provide a much better overview of the layout of a venue than a top down view, making tall landmarks immediately obvious for example.
These stylised maps can be used in Mapiddiction as Interactive Digital Maps using only an image for the map – without an underlying base Map.
Isometric maps do have some compromises or drawbacks. Since they don’t represent “real world geometry” they cannot be aligned or calibrated to latitude and longitudes. This means you cannot do “blue dot” navigation, where you use your phone GPS to show a blue dot on the map indicating your current location. Since distances and angles on the map do not accurately represent the real world, wayfinding or route length and direction calculations cannot be accurate.
You can’t overlay them on a base Map which would allow users to zoom out from your map image to see how it fits in the suburb or city your venue is in.
So, deep consideration is to be given to the way your map has been designed to start with if you are looking to create custom maps that work for real world mapping. You can visualise a wayfinding style in a non standard map but will not be able to provide real time directions like the blue dot navigation.
Type of Maps by Design Style
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Flat / 2D Maps – simple, top-down representations, commonly used on websites.
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3D Maps – include terrain elevation and realistic textures.
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Isometric Maps – angled 3D-like perspective without true depth.
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Pictorial Maps (Illustrated) – artistic or cartoon-style, often used for theme parks or attractions.
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Minimalist Maps – clean, with stripped-back information and emphasis on visual clarity.
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Vintage / Antique Maps – styled to look aged or historical.
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Heat Maps – use colour gradients to show density or intensity (e.g., foot traffic).
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Choropleth Maps – shade regions based on data values (e.g., census or economic data).
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Dot Distribution Maps – use dots to show frequency or quantity.
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Flow Maps – show movement between places (e.g., migration or traffic).
Mapiddiction gives you the flexibility to create interactive maps using either real-world base maps or entirely custom image maps. With image maps, you can upload your own floorplans, venue layouts, or hand-drawn designs and use them as the base map – no GPS or underlying map required. You can overlay Points of Interest (POIs), markers, labels, and interactive elements, and even build AI-powered wayfinding paths directly on these image maps.
For larger outdoor environments, Mapiddiction also supports overlaying custom designs on top of satellite or street maps to combine visual identity with geolocation. Whether you’re mapping a museum, expo hall, cemetery, or entertainment precinct, Mapiddiction turns static visuals into smart, intuitive navigation tools.
Find out more about Mapiddiction AI powered wayfinding here.
If you need to speak to one of our mapping specialist team member or for a demo, you can get in touch with us here.
