Designing maps to represent important aspects of WW2 and the Holocaust

About the client

The Wiener Holocaust Library is one of the world’s leading and most extensive archives on the Holocaust, the Nazi era and genocide. The Library’s unique collection of over one million items includes published and unpublished works, press cuttings, photographs and eyewitness testimony.

The Library provides a resource to oppose antisemitism and other forms of prejudice and intolerance. Its reputation rests on its independence and the scholarly objectivity of its activities and publications.

The Wiener Holocaust Library is the oldest Holocaust archive in the world.

About the project

We were asked to design a set of maps to be used by the Library and on its educational website, The Holocaust Explained.

The Wiener Holocaust Library feels maps are a vital visual tool to help students to improve their understanding of the Holocaust. Representations of the development of the Holocaust through maps deepens awareness of its geographic scope and impact.

The Holocaust was a European-wide event, which is not always understood.

Colours for clarity

The Library has a brand colour palette. We tested the colours in combination, looking for excellent contrast for online accessibility. Most of the brand colours don’t have high enough contrast between each other for text use. But many had good contrast as background colours for black text.

Although, after working with the colours the palette felt too stark, especially with the amount of information on some of the maps. So we designed a subtler set of tints based off the brand colour palette.

All the colours meet WCAG Level AAA against black. This is the highest level of colour contrast compliance defined by WCAG. Our map designs consider aspects of accessibility such as colour, contrast and legibility.

Our new colours have evenly perceived lightness, so they can be combined with uniform perception of colour lightness across the different hues. This is particularly important for screen-based use – websites, videos or slideshows.

Giving the charity more value

We also designed the maps to work offline – for print, downloads, exhibitions and talks. The maps will also be used to enhance wider Holocaust education work with schools via virtual classrooms and in-person workshops.

We want the charity to get the most value they can from this education resource.

We designed the maps at A4 size to ensure printing them is simple, and the results are clear too.

Designing a set of 18 maps

The maps were drawn based on source materials and the Library’s historical research. The maps do not need to be highly, geographically accurate but rather graphically representative. We developed a graphic style for the maps which is clear and approachable.

One of the fonts of the Library’s brand is TT Norms Pro – a neutral geometric sans serif. It’s perfect for the detailed information on the maps.

The maps were designed to have a cohesive style, so they are seen as part of a Library set but are distinct enough to illustrate their particular subject.

Clear labels

We paid special attention to the labelling clarity. Often maps have overlapping labels and symbols and to small text. We made sure nothing clashed even on the most information-packed maps.

Improved education materials

The Holocaust Explained website has around 2 million unique users every year from over 200 countries. It now has clearer maps to better illustrate key aspects of the Holocaust.

A set of 18 cohesive maps, based on updated research. The new maps will serve the Library and scholars for years to come.