About Cartography
Reflections on the nature and practice of cartography.
Insights
Insights serves as a growing repository of short articles that examine existing, new and emerging theories, techniques and tools in cartography, as well as Jason’s personal thoughts on practice.
Note, not everything listed here is yet published, but will be over the summer months. The inclusion here serves as an indication of future articles. Also note that all documents are ‘live’, so subject to revisions and updates.
Cartographic Playground
A simple and interactive website for explaining cartographic algorithms and problems.¹
Cartographic Tools
A summary of the desktop tools available to a budding cartographer.
Mapping Checklist
A 14-point checklist of things to consider before commissioning a map, and opening discussions with a cartographer/designer.
Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS)
What foss alternatives are available to replace the ‘industry standard’ apps.
Teaching to See
An inspirational 2012 educational documentary film about Inge Druckrey’s approach to graphic design (37mins).¹
Visitor Mapping
An introduction to the framework and process around visitor mapping.
estranged_space*
A unique spatial research group.
Analogue vs Digital
A dichotomy in practice.
Dieter Rams’s 10 principles for good design
Great design(ers) are always relevant.
↓ To be published over the summer months
Cartographic Workflows
A diagrammatic summary.
Pictogram Development
Design pointers and cues for sourcing or creating pictograms.
Automation to AI
How it affects cartographic practice.
Space Syntax
A modern mapping tool.
Graph Theory
The mathematics and abstraction of graphs can be found throughout cartography.
Semiology of Graphics
A look back at the 1967 seminal work of French cartographer and theorist, Jacques Bertin—still 100% applicable today.
Relief Shading
The beauty inherent in different techniques for representating the elevation of landscape.
Scaleable Vector Graphics
This open standard graphics format has been around since 1999, but what are the applications and advantages of the svg format for mapping.
RiverREMs
The Python package that reveals beautiful visuals of past river courses from a river elevation model (rem).
Mapping Frameportfolio
Online mapping tools seem to be (re)invented on an almost monthly basis. This is a round-up of what’s available offer.
OSM Art
How OpenStreetMap (osm) data lends itself to artistic (re)presentation.
Colour Management
A run through the essentials of colour management and why it is important.
DPI vs PPI Management
Similar, but different. Lots of misconceptions to dispel in this explainer.
Elements of a Map
A diagrammatic breakdown of the elements that make up a map, both in print and online.
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¹ This is, or contains, an external link.