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Issue #58 in my comic book cover series is called Sow Much Fun and features a new maze of a Pig. The background was made using staryyai.
My comic book cover mazes can be found in 2 places:
To receive a book of my first year of comic book book mazes (Volume 1 with mazes #1-53) you can sign up for my book alerts - any time I launch a free maze book, or paid book (on Amazon), I will send you a note about the new book launch.
This maze was never one of my favorites. I was practicing making landscape mazes and this seemed like a cool location to maze. In reality the maze was a bit weak. It looks kind of flat. But once I put so much time in making it I was worth publishing. Now, I get a chance to improve it. How will it go ? Let’s find out ! Here is my original post which includes a link to a great video about the dam if you are interested.
Maze of the Week #38 - Hoover Dam Maze
Here are the enhancements I made to improve the maze:
1. Dam changed. I added texture to the dam face and added light colored lines to show the shape and construction of the dam face better
2. Water changed. I added interest to the water in the reservoir and the water below the dam. I “marble-ized” it and think it is an improvement on the flat water before.
3. Added texture. I added texture to all of the rock areas. This changed the color of the earth some.
4. Added drought. I added an anti-shadow to highlight the low water in the reservoir by showing the previous water height. This is the same technique I use to make a shadow, but instead of using black I used white.
5. Added the sky.
6. New Start/Goal. The start and goal are now internal words vs. arrows. I also changed their location so I could improve the maze and use more of the page. Which means we have a
7. New Maze Pathway. I think this improves the enjoyment of the maze when solving.
8. New title font. I changed the title font to a more condensed look.
9. Added branding. I added my branding in the lower portion of the dam near the goal. It is at an angle near the water to fit into the picture.
Here is the before and after:
For all the changes it looks relatively similar. I think it still is improved.
Some data: The new file is 1,340MB from 123MB. 10X bigger.
I will be replacing the homepage with the new maze going forward. You can find the maze download there !
If you like this type of content check out all of my case studies:
A Collection of Maze Design Case Studies to Improve your Mazes
Happy maze-ing !
Today I want to dig a bit deeper on my favorite topic, mazes. Specifically I want to talk a little about…
The Psychology of Mazes
Mazes have captivated the human imagination for centuries, their intricate pathways and perplexing turns a timeless source of fascination for people of all ages. But what is it about these puzzling creations that draws us in? What makes them so universally appealing?
There are a few psychological reasons why we enjoy mazes. First, mazes are challenging, requiring us to use our problem-solving skills and spatial reasoning abilities to find our way out. This process can be both frustrating and exhilarating.
Second, mazes can be a way to escape from the everyday world; when we enter a maze, we are transported to a different world, one full of mystery and intrigue, offering a welcome relief from the stresses and demands of everyday life.
Third, mazes can be a way to learn about ourselves; as we navigate a maze, we learn about our strengths and weaknesses, and how to cope with frustration and uncertainty.
In addition to these psychological benefits, mazes can also be used for therapeutic purposes; for example, mazes have been used to help people with anxiety, phobias, memory loss, and dementia.
Here are a few more specific psychological effects that mazes can have on people, starting with two negative things:
Mazes can increase stress levels; the uncertainty and challenge of navigating a maze can trigger the release of stress hormones in the body.
Mazes can increase negative feelings. Frustration, anxiety, helplessness, and discouragement are all negative feelings that can be felt by a person lost in a maze, unable to find their way out.
And of course we have a long list of maze benefits:
Mazes can improve spatial reasoning skills. By requiring people to think about their surroundings in a three-dimensional way, they help improve spatial reasoning skills, which are important for many everyday tasks, such as driving and reading maps.
Mazes can improve problem-solving skills. Mazes require people to think critically and come up with creative solutions to find their way out, which can help to improve problem-solving skills, which are important for many aspects of life.
Mazes can improve memory. By requiring people to remember their surroundings and the paths they have taken, they help to improve memory, which is important for many aspects of life, such as learning and retaining information.
Mazes can improve mood. The sense of accomplishment that comes from finding your way out of a maze can release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
In Conclusion, mazes offer a unique blend of challenge, escape, and self-discovery. They tap into our innate problem-solving instincts while providing a welcome respite from the everyday world. Whether we're navigating a complex labyrinth or simply tracing our fingers through a puzzle book, mazes offer a captivating journey into the heart of our psychology. So, the next time you encounter a maze, embrace the challenge, and allow yourself to get wonderfully lost in the journey. You might be surprised by what you discover about yourself and the world around you.
Additional blog posts you may like:
The Surprising Benefits of Solving Mazes
What I Learned Using AI to Make Maze Art
The 10 Most Famous Labyrinths from Around the World
What I've Learned Making Mazes
Issue #57 in my comic book cover series is called Sssssslither and features a new maze of a Snake. When you read Snake it to the Limit do you automatically sing in your head “one more time” ? Asking for a friend.
My comic book cover mazes can be found in 2 places:
To receive a book of my first year of comic book book mazes (Volume 1 with mazes #1-53) you can sign up for my book alerts - any time I launch a free maze book, or paid book (on Amazon), I will send you a note about the new book launch.
