Feb 14

Winners of the $1,500 YouTopia Map Contest

You-Topia!!! First, we are total awe of every single map that was submitted and appreciate each and everyone for their own creative brilliance. We are truly inspired! Mostly we love that so many of you really celebrate your favorite places, whether it's your hometown or a memorable vacation spot, and have taken the time to commemorate them in such warm-hearted and festive illustrations.

Our first place winner Monika Roe makes Santa Cruz sparkle like we've never seen in any travel guide or magazine! She has created a beautiful scenario for a perfectly magical day in Santa Cruz - it has everything: yummy coffee, a little shopping, some great food, beer (burp!) and some fun cultural and outdoorsy activities. Yay Monika!

Three of the runner-up winners were maps from big cities: Barcelona, Mumbai and London. It's so great to have a personal spin on big cities like these, where the possibilities can be so overwhelming. We also love being introduced to new places that aren't found in the big travel journals: little gems like Sauvie Island and Michiana. All of the winning maps seem infused with the personality of those towns and cities, whether it be the romantic historic beauty of Savannah, the cheeky fun of Amsterdam or the hip girlie guide to Mosman. We are convinced that there is not a map, travel guide or book out there that offers a better, more fun or prettier view of so many great cities and towns! Our bags are packed...where to first?!

Click the images below to see a larger version.

Grand Prize Winner of $500, courtesy of GreatBigCanvas
Santa Cruz, California by Monika Roe from Paso Robles, CA

Runner-Up Winner of a $150-valued Pentel Prize Package of Pens, courtesy of Pentel of America
Mumbai, India by Ritu Varghese from India

Runner-Up Winner of a $150-valued Pentel Prize Package of Pens, courtesy of Pentel of America
Amsterdam - A Day At The Park by Esther van den Berg from Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Runner-Up Winner of a $150-valued Pentel Prize Package of Pens, courtesy of Pentel of America
Sauvie Island Bike Loop by Jennifer Reynolds from Portland, OR

Runner-Up Winner of a $110-valued canvas print, courtesy of GreatBigCanvas
St. Martins Lane, London, UK by Rebecca Bradley from Baltimore, MD

Runner-Up Winner of a $110-valued canvas print, courtesy of GreatBigCanvas
Girls Day Out in Mosman, Australia by Supriya Ramlu from Sydney, Australia