Roadmap to the Heart

Who doesn't need a roadmap when it comes to love?

My brilliant friend and partner-in-crime, Alicia, is the beauty and brains behind the 50/50 Dating Documentary, in which she goes on a date in each state not just to look for love, but to investigate the dating process itself. A mammoth task from both an emotional and logistical point of view, Alicia elegantly organized, funded, and carried out her dream of getting the inside scoop on the way we date in America today. Her fabulous blog is a treasure trove of dating wisdom.

But with all her travels, itineraries, and miles put on her Honda Fit, the one thing Alicia didn't have was a map that showed her route. That's where I came in!

With her many stopovers in the 48 contiguous (and 2 non-contiguous) states, web apps like Google Maps and MapQuest couldn't handle her itinerary without looking like an absolute mess. That, and her badass project deserved a map that reflected her personal style. The map needed to look like America — but with a modern edge that would fit in with the overall 50/50 aesthetic. 

I had a ton of fun playing with different color schemes that said "America" without being the blaring red, white, and blue of the flag. 

After much experimentation, we settled on the teal and coral option with the cities listed in clean, chronological order toward the bottom to keep everything nice and organized. 

In the end, I opted for a tabloid size so Alicia could easily print the piece out and stick it on her wall. You know...to add more pins wherever the next dates happen!

Last but not least, I played around with a mini Honda Fit and a pretty compass rose to top it all off. 

I'm thrilled that I got to pitch in to this wonderful project and help a bona fide road tripper's dream map become a reality!