#qtme

[hollysummersoneca-blog]

FINAL WEBSITE

Queering the Map of Edinburgh

I had a little longer to upload items to the website after the printed map was finished. We have kept the simple tabbed design where people can switch between different themed sections, and navigate around Edinburgh either by clicking on each ‘pin’, or moving through a list of locations. Each place has some basic information, an image (either a flag or artwork from the workshop) with an image description for visually impaired users, and links to relevant websites. In the venues section I have also added accessibility information for the buildings as much as possible.

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FINAL PRINTED MAP

This is the final version of the printed map. I sent a few variations for feedback beforehand, but most of the changes were only minor adjustments or grammar issues.

The map will be printed at A3 and available around Edinburgh, and there will also be a larger (A1 or A0) version for the Scotland’s Urban Past exhibition in May.

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WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

I used ESRI Storymaps to create the online version of the map, where people will be able to move through a Google Maps style site with pins for each of the entries. I tried out a few of the templates available, and decided on this ‘tab’ system to start with, as the colour coded sections fit well with the print design. Users can switch between different types of place, and when they click on a pin a post opens on the left-hand side about the location. In the completed site, this will contain extra details about why the site was chosen, and there will be images, videos, and external websites where relevant. 

What I really wanted was to be able to add elements from the map design - such as the flags and text, directly onto the maps, rather than having plain coloured pins. I have tried several different ways of doing this without success, so for now I am focusing on developing this more simple design. However, that is still a possibility for the future.

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DRAFT DESIGNS

Because I had proposed a collaged style, I had the idea to use cut out coloured paper behind the text, making it easier to read and allowing me to colour code the different types of place. In this version I have used digital blocks as placeholders, while I worked out what would go where.

There was a huge amount of content created by the workshop, and it was very difficult to decide what to include, and to fit it all together. I prioritised the contributions of QTIPOC whenever it was necessary to chose, and tried to give a mixture of personal and practical notes. At the end of the workshop we discussed what the map would be used for, and the importance of archiving LGBT+ history was brought up.

I submitted this work in progress version to the other organisers in late February, to update them with the design and give them a chance to feedback at an early stage.

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HAND-DRAWN MAP

I used an un-decorated A3 map as a reference when creating this hand-drawn version in pencil. It is simplified and has no street names as it will be filled with details from the workshop.

After scanning the drawing, I started to test out how the images might be added into the map. Some elements were influenced by the need to be accessible; for example, the off-white background and minimum 16pt font size reflect the RNIB guidelines for designing for visually impaired readers. 

This experiment helped me realise fairly early that having a background behind each piece of text would be essential.

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THE MAPS

During the main part of the workshop, we used three A2 maps of Edinburgh, and a variety of materials to add notes and images to them. We had prepared a selection of miniature flags relating to LGBT+ pride and accessibility for disabled people, and these were a useful way for people to add to the map. 

After a short break, we moved to new maps, and continued adding to them in the same way. However, we also gave people a few new tools and things to think about:

 - Red pens: To mark places they associate with negative experiences; To make additions or notes to other people’s chosen places, if they have a different perspective. For example, one person has chosen Forest Cafe as a positive space, and another has pointed out that its toilets aren’t wheelchair accessible.

 - Pink arrow post-it notes: To highlight places where they would feel comfortable being visibly queer - for example holding hands with a partner.

 - Large post-it notes: To suggest places that don’t currently exist, but should.

Once the workshop was over, I took these maps away and photographed them at varying levels of detail on the rostrum camera at ECA.

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PLANNING MEETING

An example of my notes from the first planning meeting we held at LGBT+ Health and Wellbeing’s headquarters. I had already met Nicky from Scotland’s Urban Past to discuss my application, and it was fantastic to meet the other people I would be working with on the day. 

We developed the workshop structure and content together. It was a 4 hour session in the City Arts Centre on the 2nd of February, and we had a good turn out of participants. Central to our design of the workshop was creating a safe, comfortable and accessible environment for people to discuss their experiences.

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QUEERING THE MAP OF EDINBURGH APPLICATION

These are some example images from my proposal for the Queering the Map of Edinburgh workshop and map design. I was made aware of this project by a friend who works for LGBT Health and Wellbeing, who co-organised this with Scotland’s Urban Past and the Scottish Civic Trust.

I was delighted to be offered this job, which involves helping to organise a community map-making workshop with LGBT+ people, where we consider queer perspectives on the city. The idea is to consider what places are significant, iconic, personal, and difficult, with a particular emphasis on accessibility and the experiences of QTIPOC.

The contributions created during the workshop will then form a collaborative map of Edinburgh, which I will design both as an A3 printed object and an interactive website.

The original Queering the Map website is a worldwide community mapping project, which may give a clearer idea of the project type.