August 2019 Summaries

An interactive map created by Josh Katz and his team at The New York Times offers a detailed geographical visualization of Democratic fundraising data, highlighting the variations in candidate support across different regions. The team processed the Federal Election Commission data using Python scripts to produce a clean CSV file, which was then used to map donors based on ZIP code centroids for efficiency. They opted for an Albers projection instead of the usual Mercator to minimize spatial distortion and included separate projections for Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. While this new approach required additional steps, such as creating custom layers for state boundaries and cities, the team successfully utilized tools like Dirty Reprojectors, R, mapshaper, and Tippecanoe to achieve the desired outcome. Katz acknowledged that while creating such visualizations without tools like Mapbox would have been more challenging, it would still have been possible with collaboration and additional expertise.

A designer at Mapbox outlines a detailed process for creating new map styles, driven by specific use cases, product features, and current events, using a methodical approach that includes idea generation, extraction, simplification, ideation, and creation. The process begins with brainstorming and sketching initial ideas, followed by gathering information and analyzing original styles in tools like Adobe Illustrator. After simplifying the data into themes and visual elements, the designer formulates the final look by creating textures, selecting fonts, and refining color palettes, before executing the design in Mapbox Studio. This creative process was exemplified in the redesign of "Wheatpaste," a map style initially created by Ian Villeda in 2014.

Mapbox is expanding its presence in Japan by opening a headquarters in Tokyo and partnering with Zenrin to enhance its mapping data. This expansion aims to make Mapbox the leading mapping provider in Japan, leveraging Zenrin's 70 years of detailed mapping expertise. The collaboration will enhance Mapbox's live location platform and customization tools, benefiting both consumer and enterprise customers. Yahoo! JAPAN is the first customer to integrate this data, launching a new generation of maps powered by Mapbox. Additionally, enterprise collaborations, such as with Komatsu, will utilize Mapbox for real-time site management and autonomous machinery guidance.

Figma, a cloud-based design tool, has enhanced its collaborative design environment with the recent launch of various plug-ins, including Mapsicle, which allows designers to integrate interactive Mapbox maps into their projects with minimal effort. Created by Chris Arvin, a product designer at Remix, Mapsicle facilitates seamless map customization and iteration directly within Figma, eliminating the need for constant toggling between design and browser interfaces. This plug-in not only allows designers to easily adjust map styles and locations but also ensures high-resolution map outputs suitable for retina displays. Arvin's motivation for developing Mapsicle stemmed from his extensive design work involving maps and the challenges of integrating them effectively into user interfaces. His personal and professional projects, such as transit planning tools and interactive maps of San Francisco's streetcars, highlight his expertise in map-centric design solutions. Mapsicle exemplifies the synergy between Figma's web-based collaboration features and Mapbox's robust customization capabilities, offering designers a streamlined workflow for incorporating real-world content into their designs.