The Merrimack College Department of Visual and Performing Arts hosted an illustrated mapmaking workshop with nationally recognized illustrator Karen Boyhen. The workshop engaged students for three hours weaving experiential learning through discussion, collaboration, research, making and sharing. Boyhen produced a video, which she shared prior to the workshop, and then virtually facilitated the workshop from Cincinnati, OH, with assistance from Associate Professor Nancy Wynn.
Beginning with the video, students were introduced to the concept of “illustrated” as opposed to “computer-aided” mapmaking. Boyhen shared her own professional work, as well as others’ work. Additionally, she outlined what goes into creating an illustrated map, how to interact with clients, what are the industry’s best practices, and lastly shared her own process by creating an illustrated map from memory on the fly.
Next, the group moved to a large group discussion, which focused on generating a list of information map’s should contain, such as roads, parks, bodies of water, municipal elements, entertainment businesses, a cardinal north symbol, a legend, etc. Students were then divided into smaller groups and asked to create an illustrated map utilizing Essex County, or a smaller location within it, highlighting what they believed new Merrimack College students would like to know as incoming freshmen.
Students were encouraged to research a theme or focus for their group’s map, complete research, and then use various media to visualize. Everything needed to be produced by handwork, though the computer could be used for research. The “making” was about 90 minutes and then students shared and talked about what they enjoyed. During the making process, Boyhen had individual discussions with the groups or students as an iPad was passed around.
Graphic Design student, Ben Abdou ‘26, shares, “A group composed of Ariana White ‘25, Rose Goyette ‘25, Taylor Landurand ‘25, Mikaela Sordillo, 26, and myself were given the task to create an illustrated map of Essex County, MA and decided to theme our map around a hallmark of the Northeast, Dunkin’ Donuts. Using their branding and slogan, we created our ‘Essex Runs on Dunkin’’ illustrated map. This map consists of Essex county and every Dunkin’s location, as well as every trail in the county—so people know where to run (on Dunkin’). With fun elements all around, I had a great time creating and designing this map with my peers.”
Associate Professor Wynn explains, “Our Department regularly conducts experiential workshops on a variety of subjects from movement to acting to photography to design and more. It is very important for our students to interact with professionals in the field of visual and performing arts, therefore we bring them to campus in various ways. Karen’s studio is in Cincinnati, Ohio. In this situation a hybrid-type of workshop worked well. She was able to zoom in and I used my iPad so she could easily interact with each student or group during the making session. The students loved the fact they could have an intimate conversation with her to ask questions that were important to them about her business or the project at hand.”
Next year, the Department is investigating workshops in puppetry, Gregorian Chanting, museum curation, and/or film and music.
