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In Defense of Bad Maps and how to make them Andy Woodruff Axis Maps @awoodruff NACIS 2013

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What is a BAD MAP on the WEB?

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:(

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Breakin’ the law map of country populations

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Lack of design Boston-area colleges and universities

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Form over function Bikes and buses

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Code over content

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Why do we CARE about bad maps?

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Centuries of knowledge thrown out the window?

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Maps are powerful. Mappers are powerful.

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We are treating the web as an obstacle.

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Why do we MAKE bad maps?

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F––– THA MAP POLICE

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1. Money 2. 3. 4. 5. the beck and call of clients

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1. Money 2. Money 3. 4. 5. get attention → get work

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1. Money 2. Money 3. Money 4. 5. cheap + fast = bad

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1. Money 2. Money 3. Money 4. Exploration 5. trying things out

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1. Money 2. Money 3. Money 4. Exploration 5. Art maps are celebrated for beauty

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Bad maps are NOT SO BAD

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An overly simplistic message is still a message.

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Small message, big reach Big message, small reach

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BIG CARTOGRAPHY

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BETA

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Maps can ask questions

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How can we do BAD things WISELY?

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Prerequisite: know the basics

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Design meaning silly uff piece serious, complex subject ∝

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Clarity of purpose code examples, advertised as code examples

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Accept feedback

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Handling a dumb client request 1. Try to talk them out of it. 2. 3. 4.

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Handling a dumb client request 1. Try to talk them out of it. 2. Propose alternatives. 3. 4.

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Handling a dumb client request 1. Try to talk them out of it. 2. Propose alternatives. 3. Overcharge for it. 4.

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Handling a dumb client request 1. Try to talk them out of it. 2. Propose alternatives. 3. Overcharge for it. 4. Give in and do it.

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Sacri ces we make 1. UI controls 2. Non-spatial content 3. Basemap symbology 4. Thematic symbology

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What’s NEXT?

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Study viral map use & impacts. Educate and trust users.

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Web cartography = print cartography web design + technology “data science” + + ? +

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Web cartography = ?

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Go forth, and use your evil for good! Thank you! @awoodruff | [email protected] | andywoodruff.com | axismaps.com