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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Web Trend Map 4 by iA (Information Architects Japan)

iA's Web Trend Map 4 arrived in the doorsteps of SML Studio on September 14th, 2009.

Web Trend Map 4 / 2009 / Information Architects Japan (informationarchitects.jp) (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)



WHAT IT IS: iA's Web Trend Map plots the leading Internet names onto the Tokyo Metro system. The domains and personalities are carefully selected through dialogue with map enthusiasts. Each domain is evaluated based on traffic, revenue, age, owner and character.

Paying attention to the intersections, we grouped associated websites and ensured every domain is on a line that suits it. As a result, the map produces a web of associations: some provocative, some curious, others ironically accurate.

As a few examples: Twitter is located in Shibuya, the train station with the biggest buzz. Google and its network are placed around Shinjuku, the most highly trafficked station in the world. The New York Times is located in Sugamo, the shopping paradise for Tokyo's grandmothers.

Why Tokyo Metro? Because it works.

The map is HUGE. It's printed on A0 (841 mm × 1189 mm / 33.25 in × 46.75 in) to be exact.

Web Trend Map 4 by iA in SML Studio / 20090914.10D.53877.P1 / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Compared to the 2007 version which was printed on A2 (also see my blog post in 2007), the map has grown more than four times in size.

KidRobot + Information Architects Japan Web Trend Map 2007 / 20070831.850SD.IS.0636 / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Here's a shot of the map inside the studio for comparison to see how gigantic it is:

Web Trend Map 4 in SML Studio 20090914.10D.53872.P1 / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Kudos to iA's excellent packaging designs:

iA's Web Trend Map 4 Arrived in the Mail / 20090914.10D.53850.P1.SQ / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

...with exceptional attention to detail

iA's Attention to Detail Packaging / 20090914.10D.53856.BW.SQ / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

...which also inspired some fun strobist action:

Tubes / 20090914.10D.53852.BW / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Map in detail:

Web Trend Map 4 (Detail) / 20090914.10D.53865 / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Web Trend Map 4 (Detail) / 20090914.10D.53870.P1 / SML (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Online Web Trend Map

In collaboration with Craig Mod, iA also produced an online version of the map at webtrendmap.com where you can curate your own maps by choosing sources you trust:

Web Trend Map / 2009-09-14 / SML Screenshots (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Logo Design(ers) by zlok (Flickr: y-v-e-s)

Logo Design(ers) - by zlok - Web Trend Map / 2009-09-14 / SML Screenshots (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Sounds great by David Bauer:

Sounds great - by david_bauer - Web Trend Map / 2009-09-14 / SML Screenshots (by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

Related SML
+ SML Flickr Tags: Web Trend Map
+ SML Pro Blog: Information Design
+ SML Pro Blog: Maps

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