The New Cartographers
by Leslie Wolke on December 16th, 2008
For some, the word “cartography” may still conjure up images of parchment maps and sexants on the high seas, but as Esquire reports in their profiles of the Best and Brightest 2008, four innovative designers are redefining the art and science of map-making.
There are two kinds of maps showcased in this short web showcase:
- Maps that overlay data onto traditional geographic maps, such as Laura Kurgan’s lacy world map that plots city population increases and decreases as a third dimension
- Maps used as navigational devices for large, non-geographic data sets, such as Eric Rodenbeck’s visualization of the collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, ArtScope
Both types of maps are built upon vast collections of data, and when produced by thoughtful designers like Kurgan and Rodenbeck certainly inspire, inform and delight!