Maps with a Twist: Exploring Cities with Vianina 

In 2006, Nina Simone Wilsmann drew her first street map. Today, she has designed around 20 city maps in her own unique style and has found success with "Vianina". VIENNA.at spoke with the designer, who has won several awards for her work, and we are also giving away a Vienna poster. Nina Simone Wilsmann has been passionate about drawing since childhood. She drew her first street map in 2006, inspired by a desire to illustrate her hometown – Wasserburg am Inn in Upper Bavaria. The next year, she created another map, this time of Vienna, her new home. 

VIENNA-HAMBURG-BERLIN: FIRST SET AND FIRST AWARDS 

Wilsmann’s current success with "Vianina" was not planned. Initially, she had no intention of commercially marketing the maps. However, her friends encouraged her to sell them. "Nothing I had designed before was ever received so well," says the designer. Motivated by this, she also painted maps of Hamburg and Berlin – thus creating her first series. She submitted her works to several design competitions, winning at "100 Best Posters", earning silver at the Joseph Binder Award, and receiving an accolade at the German Design Award. The foundation for something bigger was laid, and she began selling in 2012. Nowadays, one can purchase postcards, bags, tote bags, calendars, and posters. 

DRAWING STREET MAPS: HOW IT WORKS AT VIANINA 

So how does one draw a street map? "I always choose an interesting section of the city I'm drawing, where most of the landmarks are." She draws on the computer using a graphics tablet and stylus in the Illustrator program. For orientation, Wilsmann places an existing street map under her drawing surface. The landmarks are drawn exactly where they are in reality. "Otherwise, it would be the city with its landmarks, but it’s also about finding and discovering them, orienting oneself, and rediscovering one's city." While you can't use the drawn map like a traditional city map – "unless you have a lot of time" – it still serves as a guide. Each city map takes about two to three months, depending on its size. "I spent four months drawing the world map," says Wilsmann. Excluding bookkeeping, online shop management, market planning, social media, and various bureaucratic tasks, around 20% of the work is research, color decisions, and choosing the section to draw. The remaining 80% is spent drawing. Once the right section to draw is found, a color scheme must be chosen. "For London, the colors come from the Union Jack, for Rome, they are inspired by the flag, coffee, and Vespa." Often, but not always, the colors have a connection to the city. 

"WITH THE CITY THROUGH THE CITY": THE IDEA BEHIND VIANINA 

Wilsmann also tries to incorporate trivia into the maps. For instance, the Vienna map features a whale at Walfischgasse and a sombrero representing Mexikoplatz. These are details that one can only decipher by getting to know the city better. 

WHAT MAKES THE MAPS, BAGS, AND TOTES SPECIAL? 

With the bags, it’s simply "Vienna to go." "You can walk around the city with your city," says Wilsmann. "Or through another city – depending on where you are." The childlike art also defines the maps. It highlights the playful nature of the city plans. Despite their simplicity, the maps should still contain numerous details. For the future, the designer plans to create more motifs. She is currently working on a map of Graz, with Zurich and Copenhagen to follow. "I’ll never run out of motifs," says Wilsmann. Cities are selected based on demand and places the designer has visited and likes. Although it’s possible to draw using Google Maps, Wilsmann prefers to capture the city’s flair on-site. 

VIANINA: WHAT'S IN A NAME? 

The name incorporates Nina Wilsmann’s first name. "Via" comes from Latin, meaning street or my street, my way. Additionally, "Vienna" is included. What initially seemed almost too simple to Wilsmann now fits perfectly. "Vianina" products can be purchased not only in the online shop but also in the Vienna Store on Herrngasse and the Gerngross Pop-Up Store in the foyer. She will also present her products at the Easter market in Schönbrunn and on the Freyung. So, if you want to take "the city through the city" or are looking for a unique souvenir other than Mozartkugeln, you’ll surely find something at Vianina. 

Article by Lydia Mitterbauer for Vienna.at