Complementary Cartography: Analyzing National Geographic maps that play a supporting role Presenter: Clare Trainor, National Geographic Copresenter: Riley D. Champine, National Geographic National Geographic Magazine frequently publishes beautiful scientific illustrations—from depictions of animal species to diagrams of architecture. For these art focused pieces, maps play a smaller role of providing spatial context and indicating geographic trends. In the most recent era of National Geographic, great care and effort is taken to seamlessly blend maps into artwork. This is an intentional and challenging process. In this presentation, we will highlight examples of maps harmonizing with illustration and contrast these with earlier pieces that do not. We hope to demonstrate how cartographers work with illustrators to create maps that successfully complement art.
Hot or Not? The challenges of heat map creation and interpretation Presenter: Daniel Strebe, Tableau Software Copresenters: Sarah Battersby, Tableau Software; Sara Fabrikant, University of Zurich You get goosebumps about heat maps? We will ruin heat maps for you, just like we ruined hex bins a few years back. Suck it up, but don’t sweat it. Good mapping isn’t easy! Sometimes learning about the horrible things you did in pretty maps burns. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the map kitchen. But, we’re here for you. We won’t mock you. We’ll just point out the bad assumptions you might have made along the way. And, by the way, the earth isn’t flat. And, yes, rainbows can be useful, but not often.
Branding and Cartography Presenter: Vanessa Knoppke-Wetzel Branding is a strategic and valuable part of marketing for any organization - and visually branding graphics with a specific, set range of color choices and typefaces is an important part of any branding strategy. However, these defined colors are often not ideal for most map visualizations.The past three years, I’ve spent a lot of time defining and implementing what I think is ideal for the branding of map aesthetics for two organizations, and as such, I will share what I have learned and spread the word about BREAKING THE RULES when it comes to maps.
Conservation Cartography: Putting Maps to Work for Endangered Species Presenter: Kevin McManigal, University of Montana, Franke College of Forestry and Conservation The UM Laboratory for Conservation Cartography is designing cartographic products with NGO’s working to defend endangered species. To date, we have created 1:25,000 topographic maps covering four wildlife reserves. However, the production barriers of time and cost have led to refined models that more rapidly serve the urgent needs on the ground. Our ruggedized digital devices give conservation staff access to satellite imagery and topography data in an “unconnected” environment, allowing rangers to build geospatial data in the field. The maps are making a difference, and the closing success stories prove we can preserve the last of these iconic species.
