7 replies to this topic

[Robyn]

Hey there everyone,

I am a second year Cartography student at the Centre of Geographic Sciences in Nova Scotia.
One of my projects for this term is an animated thematic map. The problem is the theme... This is most likely one of the last times that I will be able create a map of my choice. I want to do something that is fun but will also help with jobs in the future.

So here is my question to you all

If you could have a map made about any theme what would it be?

Thanks

Robyn

[margaret]

... This is most likely one of the last times that I will be able create a map of my choice. I want to do something that is fun but will also help with jobs in the future.

well then I would say that it needs to be about something you care about very much, otherwise you will quickly get sick of it as you log the late night hours making it work!

[MapMedia]

Make a list of your favorite places - choose one. Decide what kind of map it should be (what use will the map serve) based on the amount of hours you can put into it. You should be please with the result - I think.

[Hans van der Maarel]

Hi Robyn, and welcome to Cartotalk.

Apart from the comments already made by Margaret and Chris, I would like to add that you have to be really sure that the animation actually adds something to the total 'map experience'. May sound like a very obvious thing, but it's easily overlooked (don't use cool technology for the sake of using cool technology, use it because it can help you).

As for choosing a subject, something that is important to you would of course be the best. You'll probabely spend a fair amount of hours on this, might as well enjoy it. Also make sure the source data is easily obtainable and well-structured.

Finally, in terms of being portfolio-worthy, that's hard to determine. I as an 'all-round' cartographer would say the design is more important than the subject. I don't know what kind of job you are interested in, but if it's in one of the more specialised areas of cartography, picking a subject from that area for your map would of course help a lot.

Do let us know what you decide on and please do show it here when it's done.

[frax]

Just a general comment - to echo Hans' note - you don't want to spend too much time on massaging, reformatting and researching data, but rather on the presentation (right?) - so have that in mind when you pick the theme...

Maybe you can think about what should be animated as well - timeline, scenarios, different aspects etc

[CHART]

Robyn, Welcome to CartoTalk.

Having friends in Nova Scotia (Lunenburg) a hot topic is the increasing landownership (for summer retreats etc...) of our American friends in Nova Scotia. Maybe a Flash animation showing this increase over time and geo-location would be neat. (Just a suggestion).

Do something you believe you will enjoy doing from beginning to end.

[ELeFevre]

Robyn,

IMO your primary goal should be to create a well designed portfolio piece on a subject you can talk about. For example, if you already know a lot about "whales", communicating the purpose of your animated map will be much more thorough and rewarding for everyone...especially in interview situations. You will undoubtedly end up with a better map. Don't get bogged down trying to show something that's never been shown before and you know nothing about. Have fun and welcome to the forum.

[Robyn]

Hi all,


Thanks for the great replies. I will take all of this into consideration throughout the process of this project.


Robyn