12. Carts and graphs: Storytelling through maps

Data Chatter

In this edition of data chatter, we will talk about maps. Maps are excellent devices for telling stories. Think of the maps you see around election times that show which parties won seats where. in fact, the first ever scatter plot - Dr. John Snow’s figure of cholera cases in London, was essentially a map. Or think of the famous map of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.

And telling stories through maps is an exercise in data science. Data overlaid on maps can help tell really powerful stories. And as we learn in today’s conversation, the process of mapping is no diferent from the process of data science.

Our guest is Raj Bhagat Palanichamy, or as he calls himself “mapper for life”. Raj works for the World Resources Insitute India, where he leads projects on urban development, water resources and transport.

In this conversation, Raj talks about his journey into mapping, how he makes his maps, and how WWE influences the way he tells his stories.

Highlights:

00:03:00: Raj's journey into the world of maps and mapmaking
00:06:15: The process of creating maps to tell stories
00:12:30: Choosing colours
00:17:00: The importance of annotations in storytelling
00:23:15: Data, digitisation and tools
00:35:45: Taking inspiration from WWE to construct "stories" with maps
00:42:13: Mapping cities versus mapping landscapes
00:44:30: Where is mapping underrated and overrated?

Raj's 30 day map challenge in 2020

Data Chatter is a podcast on all things data. It is a series of conversations with experts and industry leaders in data, and each week we aim to unpack a different compartment of the "data suitcase".
The podcast is hosted by Karthik Shashidhar. He is a blogger, newspaper columnist, book author and a former data and strategy consultant. Karthik currently heads Analytics and Business Intelligence for Delhivery, one of India’s largest logistics companies.
You can follow him on twitter at @karthiks, and read his blog at noenthuda.com/blog