So, You Want to Make a Map?

So, you think you’ve got a great idea for a map, but little to no experience in map-making? Have you been making maps, but want to increase your understanding of what’s going on “under the hood”? Do you think maps are nothing but a bunch of latitude and longitude points? Then this session is for you.

We’ll introduce you to the concepts you need to know to really understand how maps work: technically, visually, and even socially. We’ll cover how your data gets from the real world to your screen, why every map is a lie, how to think about your data, and how to make your data pretty and understandable. Then we’ll talk about where to find data, and just as importantly, how to understand your data, and how to make sure the lie your map is telling is the one you mean it to. Finally, we’ll talk briefly about what open source tools are out there to help you manipulate and display your data.