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Pictorial Maps
Livestock
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Pocket
Map • • Map
Placemat
The Map Creative Phase
The
'Map' project began about a year and a half ago, after I attended a
meeting hosted by Major County Economic Development Corporation in
Fairview. The program was presented by representatives from the
Oklahoma Wildlife Department about the 'Wildlife Trails' project in
Northwestern Oklahoma. (The 'Oklahoma Trails' project is an
extension of the 'Texas Wildlife Trails', which has been very sucessful
in attracting tourists interested in touring America's wildlands.)
The Wildlife Department is producing a 'Master Map" of the various
trails in Northwestern Oklahoma; however, each county is responsible
for producing guide maps with more details of their designated 'Trails'
and travel services.
During
a follow-up meeting, the MCEDC tourism committee proposed that the
'Trails' project will surely promote 'Agri-Tourism' through-out the
region as well. Therefore, the combination of 'Agri-Tourism' and
'Wildlife Trails' sets the theme of the map. (If you wonder about
public interest in this area, last year there were over 14,000 visitors
to the Sod House Museum. What did they purchase, where did they eat,
get fuel or sleep? )
My
creative approach to the present style began with a state of mind
– somewhat akin to the 'country feeling' of a patch-work quilt or
driving through the green countryside in spring. So,
with 'country things' in mind for the theme, I experimented with the
background colors you see in the Maps and made the road system colorful
like embroidery on an old comforter – to reflect the scenic and
aggrarian nature of Northwest Oklahoma. Additional icons and 'nature
art' further promotes the theme.
I-40 Access Map
to Region
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The
purpose of the 'Project' is to attract tourists. Where
do most travelers traverse Oklahoma? That's easy – the Interstate
system, which is so safe and convenient it can become so
hypnotic to drivers they are reluctant to take side-trips. One
way to lure people away from the Interstate is this
expanded-area Guide Map which is an insert on the Pocket Map. The
system of Colored
Highway Routes from I-40 are easy to follow. Attractions and
essential
services along the way are or will be color coded and numbered. These
color coded numbers
will be included in the Map Directory.
Since most travelers are unaware of the unique geology, industry and
culture
north of I-40 this should create interest in the Major County Region.
Click
to enlarge map
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A
Country Paradox There
is a paradox in promoting 'Country' – which is good for tourism
generally – but, to promote industry and attract new residents we
must also appear modern, high-tech and progressive – which we
are. Contrary to what Silicon Valley likes to imply about 'Okies'
– this is place where 'high tech' is in our schools, gets put to
work in farming, livestock, in the oilfield and etc. For that purpose I
have added/or will add various 'modern icons', logos and photo-art.
'Say
it with Pictures'
Creating the kind of presentation to project ideas and feelings is very
personal, you have to dig deep, it's complex and on-going because each
phase takes time in the creative-mode and then to switch into the
'engineering' mode. I do believe this is an unusual product, which I
think will successfully promote our unique area. When completed, the
materials should be appealing as well as informative and well
distributed throughout the region and wherever we can place them along
the Interstates. So, if you like the concepts of this project, please
get involved and help make it happen. Funding this project solely
depends upons participation of sponsors and advertisers. Call or e-mail with your ideas or questions. More ...
Joint
Map Promotion This
Map Project is being jointly promoted by Major County Economic
Development Corporation. Contacts: Map Supporters may stop by the MCEDC
office at 2004 Commerce Road in Fairview, call (580) 227-2512, fax
(580) 227-2513, email: majoredc@pldi.net., plus, committee members are
available for potential advertisers and sponsors. Pat Warfield will
continue to promote the project and will be laying out basic ads and
doing final artwork. For a small case-by-case fee Pat will create
Designer Ads which require additional artwork or photos. Contact Pat at
(580) 438-2800 tel/fax or e-mail .
The
Map is about Major County and Western Oklahoma. It
is a pictorial presentation covering Major County and significant
attractions in the surrounding (7) contiguous counties. The diverse
geology of the region can be shown in photos and artwork of the red
mesas and canyons of the Gloss Mountains, sandy soils of the Cimarron
River flood-plain, native grassland pastures, farmland with blackjacks
and sandy soils and the beautiful farms in the rich, productive soils
of the hard-lands. Since the area is noted for "Wheat , Cattle and
Oil." there are scenic photos of these subjects. And, hopefully we can
show that our pioneer spirit of our 'Homesteaders'
is still alive in our people.
The Web in Addition:
Web Pages with the the Pictorial Theme The
map pages will be part of www.warfieldstudios.com, where the website is
available for subscribers as an addition to their ads on the printed
maps. This web address and the MCEDC website will be prominently
displayed on each printed map, so it will be easy for many travelers to
find our website, and your product or services if you participate.
Plus, we can share links with all of our partners and supporters. The
Web pages will allow immediate dispensing of new and ongoing
information. Travelers will be checking out what we have to offer. For
Advertisers, there can be ongoing updates to their ads as needed,
instead of waiting for a new printing cycle.
A
Little History, Perhaps! Hopefully,
we can run articles about the area – maybe inspire some more
people to write their version of history of the region. There is
material already available.
Oh! the possibilities . . . Pat Warfield
All Artwork,
Photography & Website Design • Webmaster:
Pat Warfield ©2005
e-mail • www.warfieldstudios.com
• Cleo Springs, OK 73729 • 580 438-2300 tel/fax
Major
County Economic Development Corporation *(MCEDC)
2004 Commerce
St., Fairview, OK 73737
(580) 227-2512 • (580) 227-2513 fx
majorok@pldi.net • www. okmajordev.org
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