One Maze - Many designs - experiment #9

This is a continuation of of maze design experiments. Read about it in post #1, One Maze - Many designs, then The first 5 experiments and so on, or just enjoy the ride.

The original maze:

I used Bing text to image for all of these creations. This is similar to my use of Google Gemini Remix a few weeks ago in the 6th part of this series. I was using Bing to test how their image generator does at making maze art (Making mazes with AI: Bing AI Image Generator - Has it improved over time ?) and I saw templates at the bottom of the page, so I decided to use them here. Basically I uploaded my starting maze and hit the template button and saw what was generated. Here is what I found:

• The first maze is the cartoon sticker template.

• The second maze is the coloring page.

• The third maze the sketch template.

• The fourth maze uses the Ukiyo-e print template.

• The fifth maze I used the regular text to image and wrote “Make this maze more interesting”. This is what Bing came up with.

• The 6th and 7th were so far off, I included them but do not call them mazes. I used the Minecraft Me and Make Me a toy templates. Both fun but too far off in this context.

This was a flop, but that is why I text AI image generators. The maze looks stayed, but the changes made them non-solvable mazes. This does not surprise me based on What I learned using AI to make maze art.

Bing - cartoon Sticker template

Bing - Coloring Page

Bing - sketch template

Bing - Ukiyo-e print

Bing - make the maze more interesting

Bing - Minecraft Me

Bing - Me as a toy

Types of Maze Intersections and Junctions

Want to know what types of intersections will you find in drawn mazes ? Are you an artist or a maze solver ? Below is a partial list with examples of the types of pathways and junctions that can be made to create a drawn maze using mostly a grid-like pattern. Slight variations of these would exist for non-grid maze creations also, like hand drawn, triangular, hexagonal, etc. Lets’ start with the most simple part of the drawn maze.

I break maze intersections and junctions into 6 categories:

1. No Choice Pathways

2. Intersections

3. Spirals

4. Loops and Branches

5. Dead Ends

6. Special Pathways

Let’s look at each of these categories with details, and examples.

No Choice Pathways:

• The Main Path or Main Passageway

Looks like a standard straight line. There are no choices to make other than to continue forward on the path you are on. Not a junction or an intersection really, but what you are on before you get to one and so a great place to begin.

• The Left or Right Turn

No choice is available, but the main path turns to the left or right to change the direction of the solver. Not a junction or intersection, just a new direction for the main pathway. Happens countless times in a maze !

• The Back and Forth

This stands in for all possibilities of patterns with no choices - and there is an infinite amount ! If you break it down it is just a pathway with many turns and because there are no choices it is in some ways filler. I would define this one as a series of pathways and turns that move the solver back and forth on the pathway without any choice of direction as in a labyrinth. A very common pathway configuration.

Intersections:

• The Standard Intersection -

Looks like a plus sign to the solver. At an intersection the solver must decide between turning left, right or continuing to go straight on the current pathway. A standard intersection has 3 choices (4 if you think returning the way you came is a good idea).

• The T - intersection -

The main path comes to a junction where the maze solver has two choices and needs to go either left or right. Looks like a T (but can also be a T on its side if you are traveling on the same pathway). The main pathway in this junction ends, so continuing the way you came is not an option. A choice must be made.

• The Take or Continue intersection -

The standard and most common choice you will have to make many times in a maze. Looks like a T on it’s side, and can go in any direction as long as the main pathway continues on (this is what sets this intersection apart from the T - intersection above). A decision needs to be made to continue on your path or turn onto another path. Below are versions to turn left or right vs. continuing on the main path.

• The Y - intersection -

An angled version of the T intersection that looks like the letter Y. The maze solver must make a similar choice as in the T intersection. Continuing on the main path is not an option.

• The Multi-choice intersection-

A maze solver comes to a section where the main pathway splits off into many different directions from the main passageway. Different from a standard intersection in that it can have more than 3 new options. This also has the most different options on how it can look. A maze with Multi-choice options will typically be more difficult to solve. Also, the pathway options may be spaced over a larger area. The example on the right has 7 possible paths close together that can chosen.

• The Fork intersection -

A specific type of multi-choice intersection - a pathway that comes to a decision intersection that breaks into 3 - 5 possible choices, all typically pointing in an onward direction, looking similar to a fork.

Spirals:

• The Spiral or vortex -

A pathway that spirals into itself and then spirals to exit thru a series of continual left or right turns. Basic spirals do not have any intersections or junctions for the solver to choose. Often used to create a particular look for the maze.

• The Multi Spiral Path -

This is a particular type of spiral path that includes additional branches inside the spiral that may be chosen by the solver. Those new pathways eventually lead to dead ends inside the spiral with only one pathway spiraling out (although the 1 spiral out is not a strict rule).

• The Spiral Dead End -

A pathway that uses a spiral to trick the solver into a dead end. Instead of a path spiraling in and then spiraling out, you only spiral in to a dead end.

Loops and Branches:

• The Return Path or Looping Path -

A pathway that when taken, unknown to the maze solver will return them to the same spot by looping back around, essentially wasting the time of the solver. The pathway might take many turns, but the long term destination loops back around. In the example below the choice of leaving the main path leads to a looping path. Can be used to reduce the difficulty of the maze by replacing some dead ends with looping paths. It will make the maze longer, but more enjoyable when incorrect paths are taken. Instead of reaching a dead end the solver loops !

• The Side Branch -

A pathway taken off the main pathway that returns to the same main pathway further on in the maze. By taking the side branch the solver continues towards solving but has not taken the simplest path to reach the same point. Different from a looping path in that you do move closer to solving the maze when you take a side branch. Will never look exactly like the example below, but will have the same general structure.

• The Optional Side Branch -

Similar to a side branch but involves an obvious choice for the solver. Very common in a Find Items Maze and an Avoid Items Maze where you may need to strategically take the optional side pathway to fulfill a condition of solving the maze (example: maze instructions are to find all the balls and then exit the maze - and a ball is on the optional side branch). While the side branch above is taken unknowingly, this is taken with strategic intention (often because it is obvious).

Dead Ends:

• The Dead End -

A pathway that can no longer be traveled on because it has ended. The solver loses and the maze maker wins…I would be surprised if the dead ends you encounter are ever as easy as the example below to see before you reach the end.

• The Filler Dead End -

This is a particular type of dead end that is made by a maze maker with the only purpose of filling up space. Often it is unintentional in the greater design of the maze and no maze solver would ever take these mini paths. They truly are filler. A dead end path that no human would ever take (a computer program would check it out though).

Special Pathways:

• The Weaving Pathway -

Used in Weaving Path Mazes and Pipe Mazes, this path does not dead end when a wall is encountered if the pathway you are on continues directly on the other side of the pathway that it crosses. It is a way of making 3D movement part of a maze that is drawn on a 2D dimension like a piece of paper or computer screen. To help some solvers they can optionally be shown with arrows to indicate movement across pathways (example on the right). These are fun pathways to include in a maze but can be difficult to design without some practice. In fact if you like games where you need to observe mistakes, I wrote a post where you need to find my weaving design mistakes !

• The Trail Path -

Used in Hidden Message mazes, Letter mazes and Number mazes. In this pathway movement along the pathway “captures” letters or numbers as you go over them in the pathway. So the solver is not avoiding the letters, but rather collecting them. In the example below from the start the different possible movements create different words, going clockwise: Straight : “THEN” ; Straight, right “THERE” ; Right “THY”; Left, Down “THATS”; Left “THANK YO”. Intersections exist, but they are not important to the solving.

• Random Shaped Intersections & Pathways -

  Most commonly found in mazes that are drawn by hand or that use objects as the walls of the maze. Pathways meander more than normal and have irregular shapes depending on what object is used to make the walls. In the example below how would you define the pathways and intersections ?

• Moving Intersections & Pathways -

  I was unsure what to call these but they are a late addition to the list. I was inspired by a video game and a video showing a maze puzzle. Here is a video of the classic retro arcade game Ladybug: Make sure to watch until the ladybug approaches a green wall.

I am interested in using this rotating wall in a drawn maze, but was struggling how to actually make it friendly for the solver. I should also mention that if you draw these doors, you could make them only open/swing in one direction ! Maybe a door with a handle on only one side….

• Conditional Intersections - which are created by conditional walls/pathways essentially

A puzzle designer created a conditional maze that uses colored doors ! Very nice concept. You can find the maze download, and other puzzles on his puzzle page. The use of color means that intersections change depending on the rules set.

I hope to make some new mazes based on these conditional intersections. When I do, I will add some links here.

I did a 3 part blog series on maze constructions if you want to design your own type of maze. Part 2 speaks about pathway options including weaving pathways !

Part 1 - Starting and Ending a Maze - Speaks to the 9 most popular ways to start and stop a maze

Part 2 - Maze Path options - Explores the 12 different pathway options for a maze

Part 3 - Conditional Path options - Speaks to 11 different conditional options to add to a maze to make it more enjoyable

10 More Abandoned Mazes - Mistakes in Maze Making

In a previous blog post I shared with you 10 mazes that I had abandoned for various reasons. I showed the mazes and mentioned why they had never been finished, or published. Then I gave you the updates for 7 of them where I actually went back and finished the mazes. My goal was to evaluate the mistakes I had made on the mazes and hopefully prevent them in the future.

Today I will show you 10 more abandoned maze groups, discuss why they were abandoned and hopefully help you not make the same mistakes I did. These would never make the website if not in this blog post. They are misses, outdated, etc.

Abandoned Maze #1 - Clanton Peach Tower Maze

An interesting water tower that is painted to look like a peach in Clanton, Alabama. Seems like an interesting roadside attraction. Mistake made: Poor subject matter / poor execution (wrong maze construction, not enough details)

Abandoned Mazes #2 / 3 - Arkansas flag/sign mazes

I was going to make a variety of mazes for each state in the US, most likely creating a section for each state on the site. I scrapped that idea. These mazes were both made for Arkansas. Both are simple mazes that fit into the old “daily maze” format I was making pre-2022. Now, they have no place on the site. Mistake made: Poor subject matter / low quality mazes

Abandoned Maze #4 - Golden Gate Bridge Maze

I thought this would be a good idea. By showing the side view the maze is easier to make. I colored the stanchions by using colored walls. The maze has an interesting shape but not much more. Mistake made: Not enough details / interest. Poor execution

Abandoned Maze #5 - “Welcome to” Mazes

Was going to add a section of these mazes to the site. I made a few to see how it went. I decided to make other mazes instead. Nothing special. Mistake made: Poor subject matter for a maze

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Welcome to Phoenix Maze

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Welcome to Florida Maze

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Welcome to Delaware Maze

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Welcome to Connecticut Maze

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Welcome to Arkansas Maze

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Welcome to Georgia Maze

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Welcome to Idaho Maze

Abandoned Mazes #6 - Oil Well mazes

You will see this theme a lot in this list - I was going to make a variety of mazes for each state in the US, most likely creating a section for each state on the site. I scrapped that idea. These mazes were both made for Texas. Both are simple mazes that fit into the old “daily maze” format I was making pre-2022. Now, they have no place on the site. Is anyone looking for these in a Google search ? I would say a hard no. But if you search “Sewing Machine maze” I own it. Mistake made: Poor subject matter / low quality mazes

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Oil Well Maze

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Spindletop Gusher

Abandoned Maze #7 - Kangaroo Sign Maze

This sign is from Australia. I like it despite the fact that it is simple, but it does not have a home on the site anymore. I actually like this better than everything else in the blog post. Mistake made: No home - quality level no longer fits the site

Abandoned Maze #8 - Texas Flag Maze

Another example of my state project that I abandoned. Mistake made: No home - quality level no longer fits the site

Abandoned Maze #9 - Rosie’s Cantina Sign Maze

I made this maze as an option during my phase of making sign mazes. It’s ok. It just never made the cut for including on the site. So, 5 years later it makes it into this post. Mistake made: No home - quality level no longer fits the site

Abandoned Maze #10 - Hot Dog Sign ‘Maze’

Chicago, Illinois is known for it’s hot dogs. I had the opportunity to try a few and they are worth it. I was going to make a few of the most famous shops signs into maze. I abandoned the project and I never finished the maze for this one of Gene and Jude’s in River Grove. Mistake made: Poor subject matter for a maze

I wish I didn’t have even more abandoned mazes, but thems the breaks. Let’s just consider these practice. I managed to fit 17 illustrations into a list of 10. Sadly, I could have added even more !!

Why I abandoned these 10 mazes - Mistakes in Maze making, An update

I make a lot of mazes for the website. Thousands since I started it, but you may not know that many of those mazes have been scrubbed from the site as new, better mazes have replaced them. In 2022 I switched the site from a daily maze on the homepage (very labor intensive), to a new maze each week (debuting every Monday).

These individual mazes take a lot of time to make, so I work ahead - sometimes only a few weeks, but usually a few months. If you ask me what maze will be featured 13 Mondays from today - I know. This gives me time to research and write a blog post for the maze, and set-up a dedicated page on the website. I also am making comic book mazes for Tuesdays, comic strips on Wednesdays, and hard mazes each Saturday to go along with regular blog posting. My point is I am busy.

Another advantage of working ahead is the ability to stop making a maze if something if off with it for some reason. I also scrapped a few ideas after having made many mazes for a theme (because I don’t really do many themes anymore). This gives me a catalog of mazes that had never seen the light of day. Each of the below mazes was abandoned at some point, but eventually I went back and completed (most of) them. I’ll show you the abandonment and then a link to show you the follow-up case study and maze. I’m hopeful I can complete even more of these in the future.

Abandoned Maze #1 - The Hollywood Sign Maze

Technically could be considered a finished maze. But it is very boring. Not particularly good. It does not bring a Kondo level of joy. The maze is easy. Could it be salvaged ? Yes, probably with some color and lots of background detail - but once you see a photo of the actual sign and it’s surroundings you notice a lot of rocks/dirt and just a few bushes. The top of the hill has fences, and cellphone towers, etc. So, this COULD be salvaged, but most likely won’t be. Mistake made: Poor subject matter / poor execution

This became a case study: Case Study#4 - How to Improve a Bad Maze - The Hollywood Sign.

The improved maze is part of my sign maze collection where you can find most of my old sign mazes and thier downloads. Here is the new, completed version:

Abandoned Maze #2 - US Lightship Maze

I spent a lot of time on the details of this boat. I wanted to make the maze for Veteran’s Day. The only place to make the maze is in the hull of the boat and I used an on-line construction. It just doesn’t look good. It might be salvageable. Mistake made: Poor maze construction.

This became a case study: Case Study#7 - How to Improve a Bad Maze - Ship.

Here is the permanent home of the US Lightship Maze with the download. Here is the new, completed version:

Abandoned Maze #3 - Severance Hall Maze

This almost maze was done before I started using perspective for just about every maze, that’s why it looks so boxy. I was in-between wanting to start from scratch or moving forward with the maze. I never made a decision and it got lost until I found it for this post. It also appears to be floating and a nondescript building. Mistake made: Using a poor method to start with. Indecision on how to move forward.

This became a case study: Case Study #5 - How to Improve a Bad Maze - Severance Hall, and then I thought I could improve on that version and did this, Maze of the Week 79 Redux - Severance Hall (MOTW#176).

Here is the permanent home of the Severance Hall Maze with the maze download. Here is the most updated version of the maze:

Abandoned Maze #4 - Tiki Totem Maze

I thought this would be a good idea. Tiki totems are so cool. I can’t quite put my finger on this. It just isn’t good enough to be on the site as a weekly featured maze. I think it MIGHT be able to be fixed. Add color to the totem, and to make it more interesting - SHADOWS. I would also try a more complex maze structure vs the current kids level format. But I can’t be sure that will be enough…so it will not get done ….or it will. We’ll see. Mistake made: Not enough details / interest

This became a case study, in fact my first one: Case Study #1 - How to Improve a Bad Maze - Tiki Totem Maze.

Here is the permanent home of the Tiki Totem Maze with the download. Here is the new, completed version of the maze:

Abandoned Maze #5 - Red Rocks Amphitheatre Maze

Never completed. I never made the maze…just the picture which I struggled with in terms of coloration - every photo of RR has different lighting so the colors are difficult. And most of all, the maze was going to be placed in the rocks but that is a bad structure to make a maze in. Mistake made: Poor subject matter for a maze

This became a case study: Case Study#3 - How to Improve a Bad Maze - Red Rocks Amphitheatre Maze.

Here is the permanent home of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre Maze with the download. Here is the new, revised version of the maze:

Abandoned Maze #6 - Dancing Man Statue Maze

I had high hopes (sing it!) for this when I started it. As you can see I made the figure and I was starting to add muscle definition (in red) when I came to the conclusion - there is no place for a maze - or if there is it will make the maze very large in order to be able to see/solve it. I want this to work because the figure took so long to make and I included so many details. Mistake made: Poor subject matter for a maze.

This became a case study: Case Study#2 - How to Improve a Bad Maze - Danzante Conchero Chichimeca Maze. Then in 2025 after visiting Queretaro again, I was able to update this maze again. I feel like George Lucas playing with the original Star Wars: the Danzante Conchero Chichimeca Maze Update.

Here is the permanent home of the Danzante Conchero Chichimeca Maze with the download. Here is the new, completed version of the maze:

Abandoned Maze #7 - Gateway Arch Maze

This subject fits the definition of something people would like to see. But it doesn’t work. I used a standard maze structure in the arch and it is the wrong type of maze for it. I did a mix of background detail and non-detail. The trees in the foreground are terrible. This could be salvaged with a lot of work. Mistake made: Poor maze execution

Well, I finally finished this maze by improving it. The above never should have seen the light of day. The new version became Maze of the Week #183 - The Gateway Arch as I added more details to the city and colorized the illustration. I also changed the style of the maze in the arch.

Abandoned Maze #8 - Terminal Tower Maze

A building in Cleveland, Ohio that was once the 2nd tallest building in the US (after the Empire State Building). This almost maze was made when I was trying to make everything geometrical and without perspective. Later I switched everything to perspective drawing. I just didn’t feel that the finished product would be worth the additional work needed. It was going to become a very large maze (and difficult to solve), similar to my Empire State Building Maze. Mistake made: Using a poor method to start with.

I am unsure if this maze will ever be completed. I have gone back to it multiple times, only to never restart it.

Abandoned Mazes #9 - Kiyomizu-dera temple pagoda

I started this maze in early 2023. I was using a photo to help me create the illustration. It is very complicated and was taking much longer than many mazes. I gave up after making little progress after a month. I was unsure how to fit a maze in eventually. The detail meant there was little space for a maze. Mistake made: Complicated illustration with questions on if a maze would look good.

This would be a bad maze, but an excellent illustration. I do not run a website called do you illustrate, so this may never be completed as I focus my attention on mazes.

Abandoned Mazes #10 - Assorted building mazes

I have started and stopped on the following mazes for a variety of reasons - but none deserve a visual in this post.

• Tower Bridge, London, England

• The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, Paris, France

• Abu Simbel, Egypt

• Mont Saint Michel

• Machu Picchu, Andes Mountains, Peru

I wish that was a comprehensive list, but it is not. I think that is because I have hope that many more mazes “In progress” will be finished at some point.

So what do you think ? Which of these last few mazes can and should be salvaged ?