More people than ever are making maps with a growing diversity of tools. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software is being used by a broad array of industries and users. Hundreds of web mapping sites exist, and tools for the relatively easy creation of map mashups (such as the Google Maps API) allow people to map their own data collected with GPS and by other means.
Map making tools are proliferating and easily accessible: but how do you learn to make decent maps if you are not a professionally trained cartographer?
The book Making Maps by John Krygier and Denis Wood (published by Guilford Press) was written for the Do It Yorself (DIY) cartographer – the student, the new GIS user, the internet user – anyone who wants to make maps that work and look great.
This blog highlights resources that supplement the Making Maps book and help you to make better maps. Like the Making Maps book, this blog also provides examples of creative and provocative maps and material on map making and understanding, culled from contemporary and historical sources.
John Krygier is Associate Professor of Geography at Ohio Wesleyan University. He is past president of the North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) and author of numerous articles and book chapters. He has won national map design award contests, and has extensive experience designing and making maps with a diversity of technologies. He has taught cartography and GIS courses for over 15 years.
hi.
I am on the Fall River United Arts Board. I am heading a project the will create a Cultural Map of Fall River Ma.
Do you know of any that exist that i may look at?
Patrice
“Cultural Map” can mean diverse things – but I think you are talking about a map showing an area’s cultural assets, history, etc. Among the best examples is the Cultural Map of Wisconsin. An online version is here. While this is for an entire state, it should provide a good guide to the kind of content such a map can have.
Many “cultural maps” are used to promote tourism. One example is the Staten Island Cultural Map (PDF). A nice looking map, marred, a bit, by the locations of “Save A Dollar” deals. But someone has to pay for these maps.
You might want to check out the CartoTalk site, listed in the Blogroll of this blog. Many practicing cartographers there who may have worked on such maps.
John K.
I absolutely love this site!
The poetry of cartography…
Hi,
Not sure if this is the proper place to leave this post, but I wanted to add the following to the, “Strange Map” section.
An Irish surname geneology map;
see; http://www.borderart.com/prodpage.asp?ProdID=2
Not so strange, I guess, innovative though… and nicely done!
Hi
Im planing to work with advertising maps by different communities but also planning to do city maps, combining public services + entreteinment and sponsors for residents and touris.
Do you think that i need to know or learn more about making maps like with cartography?. Also do i need some permit to use maps from internet?
What could be the best way to star a company map as entrepenuer guy, combinig all new services like phone, text and internet services.? should i learn first about how make maps?
Thanks
Manuel
Hi Manuel,
There are a significant number of cartographic firms that create city maps, typically for tourism, promotion, etc.
If you want to make such maps, you certainly do need to learn about cartographic design. The medium for the
maps is important: will they be printed on paper, color, black and white, or only on the computer – then are they
just static digital maps, or interactive flash maps, etc.
On the other hand, if you start a company to create such maps, you could also hire cartographers – such skills
can’t be learned quickly.
My suggestion is to check out the CartoTalk discussion board: http://www.cartotalk.com/ A large number of
professional cartographers hang out there and may be able to advise you.