Pete Infelise, an alum of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, decided to make the Mother Road as a part of his thesis.
The result was “Illinois Route 66,” an interactive site that takes virtual travelers from the beginning of the road in Chicago and goes to the edge of St. Louis.
To recreate this almost-vanished world, Infelise immersed himself in Route 66 lore and traveled the Illinois portion of the highway, taking his own photos and absorbing small town life and historical remnants along the road. His visual portrayal of the route is atmospherically portrayed via the technique of matte painting, most often used in the movie world. […]
“I really do feel very lucky, though, to have had the opportunity to work on a project that incorporates so many things I love: photography and Photoshop, After Effects and motion design, and finally interactive design,” he says. “Of course, another big part was the road trips — 11 total — and the people and places I had the opportunity to meet and experience along the way.”
To see how Infelise completed the project over a two-year period, go here.
It’s an excellent Web site. Don’t be surprised if you spend an hour or two on it.