September 2020 Summaries

Mapbox, known for its work on election transparency since 2009, launched the Election Mapping Challenge in 2020 to inspire the creation of innovative election maps that address local voter needs and uncover underrepresented stories. The contest, running from September to early November, encourages participants to compete in three categories: best untold story, best practical tool, and best data mashup. To assist participants, Mapbox provides open data sources and technical resources, and encourages them to share their projects on social media. Additionally, Mapbox organizes a speaker series featuring experts from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, VoteAmerica, and data journalism, who discuss their use of mapping tools to analyze election data. The initiative aims to equip builders with the knowledge and resources needed to create impactful maps that enhance public understanding of electoral processes.

A captivating narrative unfolds around the creation of a unique custom map for Tillamook dairy products by the LA-based agency Wildlife, which became a cult favorite among Mapbox employees. Wildlife's team, led by President Jake Friedman and Executive Creative Director Scott Friedman, utilized Mapbox Studio and a custom React.js web app to develop a dynamic and visually distinct map that enhances the user experience with smooth transitions and animations. The project aimed to differentiate Tillamaps from ordinary maps by infusing it with a strong visual identity and user-friendly features, facilitated by Mapbox's tools that allow real-time design and development collaboration. Despite challenges in balancing aesthetic appeal with functionality, the team successfully crafted a map that elevates the brand experience, showcasing a high level of customization and artistic detail. Wildlife has also created other engaging projects using Mapbox, such as the OnStar Stories Hub, further exemplifying their expertise in leveraging technology to create innovative storytelling experiences.

Cartographic controls are essential for visualizing dense data during wildfires, as evidenced by the open data from the National Interagency Fire Center, which highlights the scale of wildfires in the Western US. These up-to-date maps are crucial for residents and emergency responders to navigate and understand the disasters, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive data sets, including fire perimeters and evacuation zones. Jonni Walker, a cartographer at Mapbox, is contributing to this effort with a series of posts on cartography, sharing principles and tips for using Mapbox Studio to create effective visualizations.