Lotty Friends Kids Playground Map

Designing a playground isn’t just about where the slides go. It’s about capturing imagination, movement, and storytelling in a single frame—and making it look effortless. For the Lotty Friends Playground Map, CDA was invited to bring Lotte’s vision to life, not as a schematic layout, but as a living, breathing universe that a child could explore before even stepping foot inside.
 

Our sketch process began like most cartographic journeys—with wireframes and spatial logic. But we didn’t stop at “accurate.” We asked ourselves: How do we draw fun? How do you communicate energy in a still image?

Early sketches served as the skeletal structure, building foundational layouts and area proportions. From there, we layered personality. Characters, curves, color—and a touch of narrative whimsy—transformed the map from blueprint to storybook. The mascots weren’t just cute, they were guides. The colors weren’t just bright, they were directional cues. We approached each design decision with the same care an architect might bring to a gallery or museum—except our visitors were three feet tall and high on sugar.

Step into the details and you’ll see more than zones—you’ll see experiences waiting to happen. The map features a kaleidoscope of activity pods: creative playrooms, physical challenge areas, and fan-favorite attractions like the Spin Round and Jumping Bounce—each illustrated with dimensionality and delight.

Every building and pathway has intention behind it. Pathways are highlighted to make navigation intuitive (even for a distracted toddler), while colors and architecture double as wayfinding and mood-setting.