mapmaking patterns

Buildings, trees and other solitary features of the landscape protrude from the surface. Seen from above, they cast a shadow off one side

Give slightly more weight to one side of a building’s footprint (e.g. use a drop shadow) to suggest a shadow and convey the sense of the building protruding from the surface. When placing individual trees on the landscape, place a small shadow off to one side. This will also help anchor the tree to the ground surface, lending the appearance of rootedness (rather than a forest of floating trees).