Case Study: Granton Waterfront Custom Map Illustration

When Monica from Hillside Agency reached out to see if I could create a custom illustrated map for a major development project in Granton, Edinburgh, I was internally jumping for joy. What an incredible opportunity! Of course, my answer was a very easy YES—let’s do this!

Monica was working on information boards for the project and wanted to make the content more engaging and easy to digest. A detailed, to-scale map wouldn’t quite capture the vision—what they needed was something playful, accessible, and full of personality. That’s where my Bespoke Illustration package came in.

The map illustration project

Granton Waterfront is one of Scotland’s most ambitious regeneration projects, set to transform a former industrial site into a vibrant, sustainable coastal community. With plans for thousands of net zero homes, Europe’s largest coastal park, and spaces for arts, culture, and businesses, the development is shaping the future of Edinburgh’s waterfront.

With a development of this scale, it was important to communicate the vision in a way that felt exciting and tangible—not just technical plans, but something that really showed how all the elements connect. That’s exactly what this illustrated map set out to do.

The custom map illustration brief

We kicked things off by looking at Granton’s key landmarks, roads, and points of interest that needed to be included. Since the project already had an established brand, I started working within its existing colour palette and style to ensure the illustrations blended seamlessly with the rest of the materials.

The creative design process

I started with a Google Maps reference, but quickly ran into a challenge—most of the key landmarks were clustered in one area, which made the layout feel cramped. To solve this, I imported the map into Procreate and adjusted the proportions, magnifying the central area to give the landmarks more breathing room.

Since this wasn’t meant to be a precise, to-scale map but rather a stylised representation of the area, this approach worked perfectly. Once I had the layout just right, I moved the design into Adobe Illustrator, carefully tracing roads, green spaces, the harbour, and the coastline.

Then came the fun part—illustrating the landmarks! Each one was designed to be playful yet recognisable, using brand colors to tie everything together. After placing the main buildings, I added details to bring the map to life:

• Trees, people, and street details

• Local shops and points of interest

• Small, engaging illustrations to make the scene feel lively

Representation was also key—we made sure the illustrated figures reflected the diversity of the area, so that everyone could see themselves in this vision of Granton’s future.

Final custom map illustration for Granton Waterfront

The review

This is what Monica had to say after working together:

We recently worked with Emmelie on an outdoor map for the Granton Waterfront information panels, part of a major regeneration project in Scotland.

Her illustrations really brought the map to life, perfectly balancing charm and clarity. She was a joy to work with - creative, reliable and completely in tune with the project’s needs.

We’re so happy for the care and talent she brought to this work and would love to collaborate with her again!

Why custom illustrations?

Illustration has a way of making big ideas feel approachable and exciting. It turns abstract plans into something people can connect with—helping them visualise not just buildings, but the life and energy of a place.

Working on this project was an absolute joy, and I loved bringing the Granton Waterfront vision to life in a way that sparks imagination and possibility.

If you’re looking for custom illustrated maps or bespoke brand illustrations to bring your project to life, I’d love to help! Get in touch or check out my services to see how we can create something amazing together.

Hey! I'm Emmelie, a brand designer and illustrator with a bold, daring and colourful style!

I love working with female entrepreneurs who want a brand look that is memorable, personality packed and fun!