Should all the streets, restaurants and hotels in english or translated language or local language?

English is the first priority preference. If they aren’t any English names, likes in China, Pin Yin or local language can be used.

Should I include some place of interest 100km away from city in the city guidebook or separate it to Add-On Guidebook?

As long as you can plan your one day trip to the place of interest, you can include it to your city guidebook. Add-On guidebook is for place where you have at least 5 to 10 listing of hotels and restaurants.

Do I have any limitations on the length of the whole guide?

It would be around 20 pages as long as you can cover all the destinations for the city.

Is there any font and size to be followed?

You can use any font. The size should be either 10 or 12. Our designers would help you to resize and reformat the font when doing compilation.

Do I need to follow strictly on the A4trip content structure defined?

You are highly advisable to follow the content structure because it helps our designer in reformating the content to PDF. If you have any suggestions to the content structure, please keep Chin Seng informed. He will update the master content structure for all.

I have some great photo for the city and would like to include inside the guidebook. What should I do?

First, please make sure you have the ownership of the photo to avoid copyright issue. Then, please communicate with your assigned mapper and to the Desktop Publisher (DTP-peiwen) to add inside the guidebook, for example the city tour map.

How long should the history and overview of a city should be?

Not too lengthy. Half to one page should be enough. Introduction is the most important part to attract attention of the customer. Please put extra effort in this section. Cheers :) Happy Writing.

Which unit of measurement I should include for weather, rainfall and others?

It is advisable to put both units of measurement into guidebook, e.g. degree/fahrenheit, mm/inches, etc.

Which currency I should use in the guidebook? Local currency or USD?

It is recommended to follow the currency accepted by the local at certain place. Generally, use USD for those high class hotels and restaurants. Use local currency for small transaction at those stalls, internet cafe services etc. If you are not sure, putting both currencies is the safest.

• Point to Ponder for A4trip’s Editors
• Mapper’s Framework
• An ideal workplace designed by designers for a designer!
• Mappers’ talk
• Writer’s Framework

Henny asked, “For Bali map, I have 1 big map for the whole Bali and also few maps for each tourist area. I have few different source here and all are like that. So for a4trip do you think which one should be included in the guide? Follow those, 1 map for the whole Bali and few other map which is more detailed or just the detailed few areas or the map for whole? I’ve already taken a look at SR map but I think its the different case with this one. (i’ve attached some map).”

Lina answered, “You may ignore the main map (Bali) and do only the sub maps (Kuta & Sanur)”.

Henny asked, “And also how big the map should be?”

Lina replied, “A4. Can I suggest you to create each sub map in A5 size so that you can fit 2 maps in 1 A4, that’s if the maps aren’t too cluttered.”

Henny asked “and how big the grip should be?”

Lina answered “Grid system can be arbitrary, so its up to you. As long as keep the grid system square grid (i.e. 2 x 2cm)”

Henny asked. “What does the “Greenish” part of the map means? I believe its Dry land ?”

Lina answered, “Dry land or field.”

Henny asked, “What about the Light Blue area? WHat do they mean?”

Lina answered. “Light blue is for major area such as the buidling and town structure, as I’ve thought blue is a more soothing colour for readers.”

Henny asked, “She mentioned that Dark Blue is for Lakes and Rivers.. What about Seas and Straits? What colour should they be?”

Lina answered “I haven’t come across seas or straits yet, perhaps darker blue or turquoise? Please choose any colour you are comfortable with, choice is yours.”

• Mapper’s Framework
• Mysterious Gift
• Saving the Kopi 2-Happy ending?
• An ideal workplace designed by designers for a designer!
• Map layering in Illustrator

Lina says, ”Well, I’ve figured to screen cap the steps to create the map may help you. Actually, its not difficult to draw or rather ‘trace’ the map if you are familiar with Adobe Illustrator. Perhaps I should send you an A.I format of the map whereby you can understand the ‘layering’ better. ”

“The process is quite simple but can be time consuming. Firstly, when a sample map (existing map) is given to you, you will need to trace the structure or outline. However, you will need to omit existing information such as hotels, restaurants, clubs etc and remain street/road names and other important landmarks. Then come plotting. The tricky part is to find the respective markings on the map. A lot of googling need to be done in order to locate them and when you can’t find them seek help from other team mates.. ;) ”

Layer 1: Background (which serves as a based)
Layer 2: Streets
Layer 3: Streets (lakes, river.. or similar)
Layer 4: Main road
Layer 5: Grid & Legend
Layer 6: Text (street/road names, markings, graphic icon..)

• Mappers’ talk
• Writers’ FAQ
• Riding West Coast Malaysia
• Tour to Nantes, France
• The 3U’s- Unique, Updated and Useful