Different maps

I decided to look a bit further into the different maps that regular designers had created. I used various Digital art forums and sites for this and selected 3 very different maps of which i liked the best. As you can see these maps are completely different from one another, yet represent the same subject.

The middle map is obviously an artists attempt to steer away from the conventional method of map making/viewing but are we sure that this works? Its all well and good attempting to make something that has hidden meaning and good visual aesthetic but if it lacks the ability to tell the viewer information it looses its purpose as a map, and i suppose that is a skill. Its also interesting to see from the first map, how they have indeed changed over time and our need for clear information and the need to include new technology forms has increased.