where I talk briefly about how to think about building a mapping focussed website. With the key message being: you should never have to "launch" a map, the map should be part of the story. www.sparkgeo.com

1. Boxes are for shoes
So, put your “out of the box” web
map back, and let’s build a web
mapping application.

3. Example:
Mammoth Lakes Public and Trail
Access Foundation (MLTPA)
http://www.mammothtrails.org

4. Users!
Why on Earth would a User* want to visit your
site?
*capitalised to indicate the omnipotent and
tempestuous nature of “The User”

5. 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?

6. Shrek’s Onion
Layers, man
1. Context
2. Emotion
3. Interactivity
Your site has these too, think about it

7. Context
This is the why
There has to be some reason people come to
your web site… really, something

8. 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

9. Interactivity
Inside and outside the map
It’s the experience, man
So, lets talk about technology then…

10. Base maps
Google MapBox Stamen

11. Custom Map Tiles
Generally, for static(ish) features

12. 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 site
sweet x2

13. 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!?

14. Maps are part of the story

15. This shouldn’t happen

16. Really..?

17. Focus

19. 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

20. 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