Silicon Hills [Austin, Texas]

Replicating the success of Silicon Valley in the hills of Austin.

This eye-catching poster map of Austin, Texas is very obviously a product of the 1990s. Apart from the 1996 calendar at the bottom; the rudimentary Photoshop elements, dot-com bubble companies, and clumsy office humor are dead giveaways. But while the production might have been constrained by the times in which it was created, the longevity and success of what it presents are undeniable.

Austin’s identity as ‘Silicon Hills’ began around this period, with local business groups hoping to replicate the economic vibrancy enjoyed by the Bay Area in earlier decades. The map identifies dozens of companies using an interesting mix of logos, corporate headquarters, and photos of employees. Some of the imagery is amusing, while others are downright confusing and would likely relate strictly to a local audience. The geographic inaccuracies are waved away with a humorous note in the lower right. “Warning…Reality Bytes. So it has nothing to do with this poster…”

The map was designed by Art Director Mark Bruneman and published in Austin in 1995 by Civic Pride, Inc. The firm was acquired by Silicon Maps, which continues to create similar productions of tech-heavy areas today.