Maps [Google Maps Japan]

Outline* The shown information is the one as of the awarded date and might has been changed.

Outline: The Google Japan map tile design is intended to provide users with a readable, beautiful map that also helps people quickly find the geographic information they seek. The design has the goal of providing more relevant information to users, while at the same time making the map clearer and visually easier to read. We refined the visual language used to present multi-faceted information on the map, and also defined the typography, colors, iconography, and line elements to reflect the needs of both local and international users.
Producer: Google Inc.
Director: Google UX Team
Designer: Lead Designer: Bailiang Zhou; Designer: Jonah Jones, Patrick Hofmann; Design Researcher: Judy Shade; Engineer: Hiroshi Takanake, Sean Egan; PM: Kei Kawai; Design Manager: Margaret Lee, Hsun Tang
More information: http://maps.google.co.jp/
Already on the market: 2010/11/10

Evaluation

Google Maps are already widely used and once again we were highly impressed by the way this latest version combines functionality and usability and takes them into a higher dimension.Based on the Web 2.0 standard, its interface design has a feeling of continuity and ease of operation that draws a line under all previous Internet mapping services. Other improvements include place-name displays that change smoothly according to the screen resolution, as well as a range of integrated information guides and services.