Wild West Map for Puzzle Contest

[uscpuzzle]

Introduction/Background
Hey everyone. I am the creator of the University of South Carolina Puzzle Hunt, an annual contest where teams from both USC and elsewhere work together to solve various puzzles that eventually end with finding an object on campus. This contest was inspired by the MIT Mystery Hunt, which has been running for over 30 years. For the last three years, I have been designing the graphics and such for the hunt, but this year I need a map. I stumbled upon this site after searching online for who could commission it, and I certainly think this is the place to ask.

Design Concept
I'm looking for someone who would be able to design a map that would look like a map of a cowboy town. A map from the Wild West. As the creator of the map, you will have a lot of creative license with the map. The only things that will really be set about the map are (A) a river that runs from north to south along the eastern side of the map and (B) the positions of some of the landmarks of the town, as they relate to a puzzle.

The fictional town is set during the 1860s-1880s. The map will feature traditional Wild West buildings/features like a train station, a church, a saloon, a jail, a windmill, etc. The landmarks will have the name of the landmark next to it. Again, you will have almost all creative license to put certain buildings where you want. If you take on the commission, we'll talk about the certain details about the map that must be done, but for most everything else, it'd be yours to create.

Technical
PNG file should do, and probably at least 1000x750, but we can discuss that. You probably know more than I do. The map will be posted on a webpage, and if we need to decrease the size, we can put the original size as a link.

Copyright
Remains with cartographer.
The maps will not be published or reproduced for commercial gain by me. It'll stay on the webpage.

Deadline
The map would need to be done by January 20th, as we plan to launch the contest around mid-February.

I work with the University to make this event run, and I may be able to send some payment your way, but realize this is not a money-making event, and this whole contest is basically pro bono by the writers. I will gladly post a link to your own website/deviantart page on the website and list you in the credits for making the contest happen.

Contact
Email me at uscpuzzlehunt--at--gmail.com, and if you want to work on the project, I can give you more details about some of the specific details about the map.

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I'll post on this thread when the requests are closed. Again, you as the cartographer will have almost all the creative license to make the town for the contest. I'm looking forward to seeing what some of you can create.

Thanks everyone!
Chris

[johnvanvliet]

like a map of a cowboy town.

that could be a long time span
1700's ( 1776 ) to 1930's

so the look and feel could be anything from the colonial days to the first automotive road maps

[uscpuzzle]

I'm looking more at a 1860-1880s feel. You know, the Bonanza/Gunsmoke/Little House era. I'll edit the original post to include this.

[snodsy]

Chris I've sent you an initial sketch for your review. A blocking diagram of all destinations. Second attachment is initial buildings and some background treatments

[snodsy]

Additional map elements for Wild West puzzle any comments welcome.

[snodsy]

Here is the final map for the Wild West Puzzle.

[KenG]

Nice looking map.