You can't get more local than a map as a way to highlight local businesses and area landmarks. But a new company and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's YP arm have partnered to create a fun, visually appealing map that personifies its creating company's name:
Distinctly Local.
The first of a series of planned urban and specialty walking maps was unveiled last week at the
Red Tree gallery and coffee shop in Oakley. The slick, full-color map outlines the Cincinnati core, as well as Newport and Covington in Northern Kentucky.
The maps are geared towards people in the city during a long weekend or an event, as well as those recently transplanted or planning to move to the city, said Joe Hansbauer, who helped make the map a reality.
"We wanted to create a product that was accessible, and shows the places that give Cincinnati its unique flavor," he said.
The idea for the map came from Hansbauer, Doug Brauch, and John Mark Ouderslyus, friends and members of
Give Back Cincinnati. It was designed and illustrated by
Standard Design Partners. Plans are to update the map annually, along with support from business sponsors. Distinctly Local plans other specialty maps around events like the
Flying Pig or
MidPoint Music Festival.
The animated map has traditional street, neighborhood and interstate makers, before delving into more creative territory. It marks neighborhood business districts, locally owned businesses and city landmarks like Findlay Market, Cincinnati Museum Center and the World Peace Bell in Newport.
It also highlights urban places important to Cincinnati's identity like Skyline Chili, Graeters, Paul Brown Stadium and Carew Tower. These places are drawn and named, so users can clearly make out the football and baseball stadiums, see the crown atop the Great American tower and get a tiny glimpse of the Genius of Water on Fountain Square.
And unlike most maps today locations are measured in walk time.
"We were looking for a piece that would really showcase our region, the neighborhoods close to the central core and highlight the cool, unique, independent shops, vendors and restaurants that are all around us," said Jennifer Young, Marketing Communications manager for
HYPE (Harnessing Young Professional Energy).
The map will be included in new hire packets for Chamber members, and will also be distributed at area hotels, convention centers and real estate offices. Eventually the map could be online as well.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Sources: Jen Young, HYPE Marketing Communications and Joe Hansbauer, Give Back Cincinnati
You can follow Feoshia on Twitter
@feoshiawrites
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