What happens when a type-A designer becomes a Minnesota State Fair fan.
A personal project fueled by dreams of food on sticks and an itch to design something both fun and functional.
In the summer of 2025, I was planning our annual family trip. I downloaded and printed off the official Minnesota State Fair map, but quickly realized that the in-print user experience (and the aesthetics) could be improved.
So, in true Virgo fashion, I made my own.
Simplified Illustrations & Icons
The originals were heavily detailed, so they visually competed with the utilitarian function of the map. Simplifying the illustrations kept the charm and personality, while making the map easier to scan.
Adding a Color Code
Color coding the buildings & areas by interest (Food, Agriculture, Kids, etc.) makes it easier to find and navigate to areas that appeal to you.
Adding the FOODS!
C’mon, let’s be honest — we’re all here for the food. The fact that the map didn’t include markers for the classic and new foods seemed like a missed opportunity.
More Purposeful Type
The original type was condensed and all caps. This is a notoriously hard to read to combination, especially at small sizes. So switching the font to “Interstate”, a font specially design for maximum readability on highway signage, makes a huge improvement in the legibility of the text.
