The amazing Roger Smith award winning cartographer talking to our #MGIS postgrads about maps @VicUniWgtn @geographx One of the awesome things about Wellington is having him at a stones throw away #whyWellington

It’s a good time for #mapmaking thanks to a more map literate audience (primarily down to google maps), tech is available and the #GIS industry has matured. #cartography

The market is split between smart maps and art maps. Smart maps are data driven and around knowledge building. Efficient information. Art maps are about aesthetics. Need to draw the reader in. But there’s a decline in demand for printed field maps.

Cartography has gotten lost. (Ironic!) Has cartography a branding issue? Rogers definition is “cartography is the art of using graphics to effectively communicate spatial information and relationships to a lay audience”. He treats it as a personal mantra.

Communication has been downplayed by geospatial sector. Connection with end user is important. Realistic is important Free from inventive or imaginative symbology. Communicate as much as possible intuitively to free up brain power to focus on the point of the map.

Rogers 10 characteristics of a good cartographer 1. You’re in the communication business, 2. Spatial skills and awareness, 3. Awareness of end user 4. Need for commercial compromise 5. Have creative or innovative bent 6. Good understanding of what you want to achieve in long term

7. Willingness to take risks and push boundaries 8. Certain level of scientific comprehension and discipline knowledge 9. Attention to detail 10. Be passionate!