100 words - day 6

I’ve mostly mused about the philosophy of maps in the first few post here. But there are some practical things that must be considered when you want to create a map either in a digital or print or in fact any other format, (sometimes maps can literally be drawn in the sand or constructed with some other natural material).

Who is the map for? What will it be used to navigate or show? And what resources do I have to make this map?

These kinds of questions will help to narrow down what to include or exclude, what medium to use (if you have a choice), how much time you have to make this map, whether it needs to be shared? What if any words will be used - is language important or can symbols suffice? What scale needs to be included? What data needs to be collected before you can even begin?

Sometimes it can just be as simple as drawing a line in the sand to demonstrate something and it will be very temporary as the next wave erases the evidence. But more often lots of time, energy and thought will be put into making a map.

Map of Australia outline drawn in the sand. Not mine but I’m sure I’ve drawn similar ‘maps’.