Boxes are for shoes

So, put your “out of the box” web map back, and let’s build a web

mapping application.

Example:

Mammoth Lakes Public and Trail Access Foundation (MLTPA)

http://www.mammothtrails.org

Users!

Why on Earth would a User* want to visit your site?

*capitalised to indicate the omnipotent and tempestuous nature of “The User”

So, build them a story

Joe does not want to click a bunch of checkboxes.

Joe wants to go hiking, lets help him.

Hey guys, maybe a map would be awesome?

Shrek’s Onion

Layers, man

1. Context2. Emotion

3. Interactivity

Your site has these too, think about it

Context

This is the why

There has to be some reason people come to your web site… really, something

Emotion

Weave the themes and the stories into visual literature

Engender the spirit of the experience

There is real bona fide CARTOGRAPHY here too!

PS. Pictures really, really help

Interactivity

Inside and outside the map

It’s the experience, man

So, lets talk about technology then…

Base maps

Google MapBox Stamen

Custom Map Tiles

Generally, for static(ish) features

Huh, what?

This is where you get to add layers of data without scaring your users

sweet

Also if you use tilemill or mapnik, you can just about use the same style sheet as the rest of

your sitesweet x2

What did you say?

Yes, you can almost use the same style sheet in your map as in the rest of your site.

Its like the map is actually part of your website!?

Maps are part of the story

This shouldn’t happen

Really..?

Focus

Shout outs:

• MLTPA – awesome client!• Derek Balmer (HoldFast) – awesome designer• Geodjango & PostGIS – awesome tech• TileMill (MapBox) – awesome tech• Google Maps (Terrain) – awesome maps• Jason Sanford – awesome code (https

://github.com/JasonSanford/GeoJSON-to-Google-Maps)

• Brian Timony – for the blog post

Maps are part of your story

So take them out of the box, and set them free!

Disagree? Publicly shame me here: @geo_will

I dare you