The winners of the 2013 Esri User Conference map gallery contest are showcased here. It’s definitely a good place look for some inspiration. Looking at the categories alone reveals how many types of maps exist today:
- Analytic
- Series or atlas – in-house
- Series or atlas – press
- Single map – in-house
- Single map – press
- Single map small format
- Data integration (infographic)
- Software integration
- Student
- Unique
- Instructional
Except for the student type, each requires different design considerations, some (software integration) probably a lot more than others.
I got to wander through the map gallery this year, and while there were many great maps, there were also an astonishing number of maps that just didn’t seem up to par for such an auspicious conference. On the one hand, it means that there is a lot of room yet for improvement. When that improvement finally happens, we’re going to see these map messages disseminated much more widely. On the other hand, it’s good to know there’s still a bit of egalitarianism in terms of the messages. We don’t have just the design-minded displaying their maps, we have everyone. Now everyone just needs to step up their game.
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