NACIS 2022

Yet another new design for an old map
Kenneth Field, Esri
In May 2022 the new Elizabeth Line was opened, and added to the latest version of the iconic Tube Map published by Transport for London. But is the map still fit for purpose? Here, I’ll show the results of a detailed cartographic editing process that assesses its form and function. I’ll also share a major redesign of my 2019 tube map that deals with many of the issues identified as well as taking on board wider comments and critique. In thinking about why cartographers and designers offer alternative, often unrequested, redesigns of such classic maps, we’ll consider the crucial question of whether holding on to an iconic brand, with all its flaws, is preferable to letting go of the past and designing a completely new map.

An Inventory of Martian Hypsometric Tints
Daniel Huffman, somethingaboutmaps
I have a peculiar hobby of collecting Martian hypsometric tinting schemes: those sets of colors that cartographers use to depict elevations on the Red Planet. While the classic way of showing Earth’s elevations is to use a color scheme that starts with green lowlands, and then proceeds through some combination of brown/yellow/orange until it reaches white in the highest areas, there’s no standard yet for Mars. So, in a way, I'm trying to document a fascinating cartographic frontier, one map at a time.

Customize Palettes for Imagery Layers in ArcGIS Online
Emily Meriam, Esri
Have you ever been in ArcGIS Online and wanted to change the palette of an imagery layer? For example, you’d like to do something completely different from what is available in the default options? Here I would like to show you how to use ArcGIS Pro to manipulate your image service colors, and then use ArcGIS Assistant to permanently apply these color changes to your web map or layer. This workflow will allow you to nuance your imagery layers and control them to better tell your layer's story and match your map’s needs. You no longer have to settle for the default color limitations of online imagery layers and maps!

Cartogram cookbook
Adrián Blanco Ramos, The Washington Post
Cartograms distort, abstract and simplify realities to explain and understand them better. This session will go over a few recipes, tips and tricks to design and build cartograms showcasing a few examples used in data visualization and journalism.

Modern Pictorial State Maps and More
Faye Passow
As a print-maker I am fascinated by vintage graphics and chose retro, map, tourist tea towels as inspiration for more current pictorial maps that are often slightly twisted. My first map, Minnesota: Principal Hot Dish by Region became emblazoned on multiple items including a casserole shaped like Minnesota. I have gone on to create maps for other states. I research the state and create icons of my own choosing based on what I consider a fun road trip. For Minnesota I took the concept further with Minnesota: What You Need to Know, which includes everything from Donut Shops to truss bridges to tornadoes and much more. In addition to these state maps I have a small series of made up maps including Nothing But Nothing, a map of nothing.

Slack channel: #nacis2022-greathall