A Dialog with Lauren Trangmar, Creator of An Illustrated Map Book of Hawai‘i

Photo: Sean Marrs

New from native writer Bess Press, An Illustrated Map Book of Hawai‘i is a surprising compilation of not solely maps, but additionally the various flora, fauna and marine species with whom we share this pae ‘āina. Local artist, illustrator, and graphic designer Lauren Trangmar set the visible framework for this large-format e-book, which employs exact and colourful drawings to depict these historic islands from the northernmost atoll, Hōlanikū (Kure), to the southernmost island of Hawai‘i.

Our booksellers at Da Shop: Books + Curiosities caught up with Trangmar to debate her strategy to such a major enterprise and to be taught extra about how An Illustrated Map Book of Hawai‘i got here to life.

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Congratulations on the publication of An Illustrated Map Book of Hawai‘i! This really is a special book. To begin, I’m questioning when you’ve got a favourite illustration, whether or not it’s a person species or a full-page scene? Why does it have your coronary heart?

That’s a troublesome query! I believe my favourite components are the introductory web page illustrations and the glossary. I’m drawn to the introductory pages as a result of each is so distinctive, each in visible and written content material. I additionally like how they set the scene for the maps that comply with. As for the glossary, I like seeing the entire species introduced collectively in a single place in a grid format.

I’m additionally very conscious of how a lot work went into these pages—each illustration needed to be redrawn to accommodate the dimensions and format change, plus every time a reputation was added or edited, I needed to manually rearrange your complete grid to take care of alphabetical order. I believe that effort makes me admire the ultimate outcome much more.

Photo: Sean Marrs

The drawings on this e-book are so detailed and complicated. Can you share about your course of or perception into creating the illustrations for this e-book?

There was numerous analysis concerned. I’m open air lots, particularly on climbing trails and within the ocean, so I noticed numerous birds and sea life firsthand. I took numerous my very own images for reference in addition to researching on-line, in books and reference guides. I begin by outlining in pen and primarily coloured digitally, though I additionally included some hand-painted watercolor components for a singular texture. Each web page is a fancy composition, constructed from individually drawn components. I additionally custom-designed the quilt font after struggling to seek out one which match.

Photo: Lauren Trangmar

As with the drawings, your colour work is breathtaking. There are so many gradations of blue that you just so fantastically captured in these pages. What was your course of like when working with colour?

When I used to be first tasked with this challenge, it was troublesome to know the place to start. I began by downloading NOAA nautical charts to grasp the geographical construction of the islands and atolls in larger element. I rapidly grew to become absorbed in these charts, finding out them carefully and studying the best way to learn their symbols and depth markings. To stop the map pages from feeling too repetitive, I developed an ocean colour palette based mostly on the depth information proven within the NOAA charts. This strategy not solely made every map distinct, but additionally represented the ocean extra realistically: darker blues point out deeper waters, whereas lighter blues replicate shallower depths.

Can you share a second, reminiscence, or reality that is still with you out of your analysis? Anything particular you discovered?

I discovered lots whereas engaged on this e-book—each from the content material and thru creating my very own expertise. I knew little about Papahānaumokuākea originally, so exploring it was particularly fascinating. One standout second was the current discovery of a 3rd volcano that fashioned O‘ahu, which we needed to replace simply earlier than going to print.

How is creating art work for a e-book totally different from creating different art work?

Creating art work for a e-book is totally different from different artwork as a result of it requires much more consistency—every web page should really feel like a part of a cohesive entire. There are additionally extra technical issues, like format, backbone consideration and printing necessities.

Do you’re feeling as if you modified as an artist within the creation of this e-book? Did you be taught something new or shocking about your self?

Because I labored on this e-book over a interval of practically 5 years, I naturally grew as an illustrator throughout that point. As know-how developed, so did my strategies of working, and I discovered myself frequently refining and enhancing the drawings because the challenge progressed.

Photo: Sean Marrs

I’m undecided if I discovered something solely new or shocking about myself, however there have been components of the challenge that served as reminders that after I’m deeply engaged with a challenge, I is usually a little “extra” with out even realizing it! It is as a result of I care a lot about what I’m creating, so it’s often an excellent factor!

Something new I discovered—perhaps not a lot about myself—however technically, was the best way to design for e-book manufacturing. I unexpectedly ended up designing the e-book all the way in which as much as print setup, which is one thing I had by no means carried out earlier than!

Photo: Sean Marrs

What do you hope readers take away from this e-book?

I hope readers can turn into immersed within the illustrations, acquire a deeper understanding of the Hawaiian Islands and end the e-book with a renewed curiosity about the great thing about this place.

And lastly, we now have to ask: what are you studying nowadays?

LOL. I’m truly actually dangerous at studying except it’s for a challenge! But … books I’ve on the go and am taking actually years to get via (not as a result of they’re dangerous, however due to me) are Blue Mind by Wallace Nichols, Undrowned by Alexis Pauline Gumbs and Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works by Helen Czerski. I truly desire youngsters’s books to grownup books, so I usually look via my assortment of these. My favorites for the time being are the “Welcome to the Museum Series” by Big Picture Press.

Mahalo nui to Lauren Trangmar for sharing her insights with us! Signed copies of An Illustrated Map Book of Hawai‘i at the moment are accessible at Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, so come pay us a go to and get your arms on a replica!

Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., Kaimukī, open Wednesday via Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., (808) 421-9460, dashophnl.com, @dashophnl