Professional cartographer Mamata Akella discusses the essential elements of map design, including visual hierarchy, zoom-based styling, color palettes, and interpretation. The conversation includes practical examples and emphasizes the importance of creating engaging and aesthetically pleasing maps. Akella also shares insights on the process of creating a visually stunning map of global shipping traffic using raster data sets. Other topics covered include custom color palettes, importing data into Felt, and the significance of collaboration and learning in cartography.
Design a map that tells a clear and informative story, engages the map reader, and considers the target audience and delivery method.
Create visual hierarchy in maps by organizing information into layers, using font size, color, and design to guide viewer attention and balance information density.
Deep dives
Designing a Compelling Map
The podcast episode focuses on the importance of designing a compelling map. It emphasizes the need to create a map that tells a clear and informative story and engages the map reader. It discusses the essential elements of map design, such as identifying the target audience, understanding the map's message, and considering the delivery method. The episode also highlights the significance of visual hierarchy, zoom-based styling, color palettes, and providing additional contextual information to make the map more engaging. Examples of well-designed maps, such as the Appalachian Trail Planner and the Global Shipping Traffic Map, are explored to illustrate effective map design techniques.
Understanding Visual Hierarchy
The podcast delves into the concept of visual hierarchy in map design. It explains that visual hierarchy involves organizing a map into layers of information to guide the viewer's attention to the most important elements. The background and foreground elements are distinguished to create an effective visual separation. The discussion emphasizes the use of techniques like font size, color, and design to promote visual hierarchy in maps. The importance of balancing information density and providing a clear focus on key map elements is also emphasized.
Styling Raster Data
The podcast explores the process of styling raster data, using the example of the ETOPO Global Relief Model. It highlights the challenge of accurately representing elevation and bathymetry in the map. The guest discusses the use of hillshade techniques to bring out the topography in the map. She explains how she applied a color ramp to distinguish land and water, considering the complexity of classifying lakes that can have negative elevation values. The importance of pre-processing data and finding the right color schemes and techniques to enhance the visual representation of raster data is emphasized.
The Power of Community and Mentoring
The podcast episode emphasizes the significant role of community and mentoring in a cartographer's career. It encourages cartographers to actively engage with their community, participate in organizations like NACIS (North American Cartographic Information Society), and attend conferences to share insights and learn from others. The importance of valuable mentorship in helping aspiring cartographers navigate their careers and learn key skills is highlighted. The guest also encourages cartographers to embrace the mindset of continuous learning, seeking guidance and collaboration from experienced professionals in the field.