Welcome to Cartographic Communication
A MDW'2022 workshop presented by the NZ Cartographic Society
The New Zealand Cartographic Society is proud to present its first open source Map Design Workshop. It will be held at Victoria University of Wellington on 23 August 2022.
MDW'2022: Cartographic Communication is designed for anyone wanting to learn to create maps for a non-specialist audience. It will focus on techniques that are key to effective cartographic communication, enabling a map to convey its message(s) to as wide a range of people as possible.
This workshop will be of interest to a diverse audience, including those from academia, the government sector, the private sector, and non-government organizations. It will involve a series of guided hands-on exercises where participants can learn through direct experience.
The instructor will share techniques and experiences from a twenty-year career in cartography. The workshop will include lessons learned from creating the award-winning book We Are Here: An Atlas of Aotearoa, along with approaches employed in his roles at the NZ Herald and Auckland Regional Public Health Services. Learning materials and example data will be supplied for the workshop. Demonstrations will use the free open source QGIS software.
Note: this course is bring your own device. Particpants will need to bring a laptop preloaded with GIS software (e.g. QGIS or ArcGIS).
Overview
In this workshop you will learn principles and techniques for communicating geographic information to an audience. Over a series of exercises, you will learn how to create useful and impactful maps that translate in a range of settings. The workshop will cover map design, cartographic techniques, readability testing and considerations for designing for multiple formats, sizes and levels of interactivity.
Through the day, you will learn how to:
- Appraise cartographic requirements and establish design goals
- Assess potential audiences and incorporate their skill levels and situational context into your designs
- Use colour for impact and legibility
- Improve reader comprehension with thoughtful titles, labels and annotations
- Understand whether a map is working through user testing
- Design for multiple print and screen sizes
- Understand the nuanced differences between designing static maps and interactives
- Do all the above on tight deadlines
The aim of this workshop is to help you become a better map maker. By the end of the day, you will have a better understanding of how readers encounter a map and how careful cartographic design can make maps more welcoming and legible. You will refamiliarise yourselves with the elements of a map and various techniques to make maps both attractive and useful. You will learn how to test a map and iterate on a design until it communicates patterns and insights in the underlying data. Finally, you will understand the subtle differences between different mapping formats and modes of interaction.
Workshop Presenter
Chris trained as a geographer with a focus on cartography and human geography. He currently works with a range of organisations, including Figure.NZ, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people make better decisions with data.
Dr. Chris McDowall - Professional Cartographer and Adviser
Chris trained as a geographer with a focus on cartography and human geography. He has worked variously as a cartographer, environmental scientist, and development manager at the University of Auckland, Landcare Research, and the National Library of New Zealand. He currently works freelance with a range of organisations, including Figure.NZ, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people make better decisions with data. The common thread throughout his career is a desire to make the nation's data easier to find and understand.
Chris' maps have been exhibited at the National Library of New Zealand and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. He has made data visualisations for the NZ Herald and is a regular contributor to The Spinoff.
Skill Level
This workshop is suitable for anyone with a basic understanding of geographic information systems (GIS). Participants are expected to be able to load data, change symbologies, and create basic map layouts in their platform of choice.
The workshop does not require any programming experience or knowledge of advanced analytical techniques.
Venue
The workshop will be held at the Kelburn campus of Victoria University of Wellington. The room is #104 in the Te Toki a Rata (TTR) building. The best entrace is near Glasgow Street and Kelburn Parade. Refer to the Kelburn campus map for more information.
Programme
Schedule
This course will run from 09:00 to approximately 17:00. Please arrive at the the venue by 08:45 on Tuesday morning to check-in and set up your workstation. Participants will need to bring their own laptop.
Important Dates
| No refunds after | 16 Aug 2022 |
| Registration close |
16 Aug 2022 |
Important Dates
| No refunds after | 16 Aug |
| Registration close |
16 Aug |
Packages & Fees
Workshop registration does not include lunch. There are several eatery options near the venue or participants may bring their own consumables.
* Valid student identification required
Full Registration
Includes:
- Workshop participation
- Morning/afternoon refreshments
Student Registration *
Includes:
- Workshop participation
- Morning/afternoon refreshments
Cancellations
In the event you are unable to attend the workshop, you may reassign your registration to another person without charge. If requesting a refund, the following rules apply:
- Written cancellation received by 16 August 2022: 90% refund
- No refunds will be given after 16 August 2022