Design principles for maps using statistical data

REPOST OF http://www.geospatial.govt.nz/presentation-video-design-principles-for-maps-using-statistical-data by Geoff O’Malley, New Zealand Geospatial Strategy

On Thursday afternoon 6 September 2012, the 150 seat Lecture Theatre 2 at Victoria University of Wellington’s Pipitea Campus was full to overflowing with policy analysts, people who work with statistics and spatial data, students, and people interested in cartography. They were there for a presentation by Dr Aileen Buckley which explored the design principles for statistical mapping.

There is a growing awareness of the value of viewing statistical data in map form. Being able to view and analyse statistical data based on location is becoming increasingly popular with decision-makers across central and local government. Promoting the use of such data fits with work under the NZ Geospatial Strategy to make our location-based information easy to find, share and use to deliver economic, social and cultural benefits to New Zealand.

I spoke with Rochelle Morgan (Geospatial Manager from Statistics NZ) who said that Dr Buckley’s presentation was timely and informative for attendees from Statistics NZ which is embarking on an agency-wide programme of spatial enablement. Statistics NZ will utilise the design principles presented by Dr Buckley as it aims to increasingly provide engaging and relevant maps to present and visualise statistical information.

A video of the presentation and related slides are now available at the links below.

Video of presentation

Slides of presentation (PDF 13.9 MB)

About the author

Aileen Buckley

Dr. Aileen Buckley has been making maps since she was an undergraduate student. She has a Bachelors in Geography and Spanish from Valparaiso University, a Masters in Geography from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. in Geography from Oregon State University. She is a senior product engineer on the Living Atlas team, and her work focuses on determining and sharing best practices for mapping and analysis with modern GIS. She publishes and presents world-wide on many aspects of mapping and GIS. She is a co-author of Map Use: Reading, Analysis, Interpretation, and she is a co-editor for the Atlas of Oregon. Aileen is a former president of CaGIS (the U.S. cartographic association) and is actively involved with the International Cartographic Association in which she is the lead delegate for the United States.

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