How to Make this Thematic Map

Well actually, it's more like WHY to make this map than HOW. But if you count rare advice from me on what to consider and what to avoid when making thematic data maps, like this map of the recent UK (oops, I mean Great Britain) elections, then sure this is a HOW TO video. There's a lot to consider when making a thematic map, particularly election maps. This takes a pretty narrow look and mercifully uses data from GB, which as it turns out is not my home country. This was a bit of a refreshing change. Fresh eyes.
Thanks to my friend and colleague, Kenneth Field, for sending this spectacularly clean data to me (and our colleague Sarah Bell, as we used it in a joint presentation we did at the 2024 Esri User Conference). I'm not used to working with convenient and ready-to-go election data. Which is a real shame and pretty bizarre when you think about it. Anyway, it was a treat. Enjoy!

0:00 Rootin tootin introduction
0:32 Compared to what?
1:02 Explore the data
1:25 We ask too much of one map
1:47 Reveal information progressively
2:11 Sneaky legends
2:27 Complexity requires an investment

Check out some other social channels where I share how-to's and updates on random map adventures:

Music: Venkatesananda by Jesse Gallagher

Thanks for watching! Love, John Nelson

[mattsims]

Love this. So clean and tells the story. Always like the multiple map frames to not overload everything.

[saintuk]

I'm going to show this to our planning dept., they are the worst for trying to load one map with nearly every bit of detail. They think I'm bonkers, so need to hear another voice :). Only 1 month to go for the Scottish ESRI conference, looking forward to it this year, as always.

[MrMinewarp]

Yes! The no legend strategy, I love the subtlety.

[raisarifat]

I found you through the Cartography MOOC (which I really enjoyed!) and everytime I watch your videos I'm just like "heck yeah" even though I don't make maps all that often

[abrarjahin]

Learnt a lot from this, amazing visual workplay.

[blazklobucar]

Hi John. Love your content. I teach in a uni course where we digitalize parks/green areas in cities using ESRI software and I would love to see some content from you or some general tips on how to make small-scale maps prettier and stand out because they get repetitive quite quickly. Keep up the good work!

[ManuelaScolastikaDhua]

I have read some of your articles, one of them is on arcGIS blog about chernoff face map. I am curious about what tools you used to create the symbol in more detail. Do you have a video on how to create the chernoff face symbol? Thank you.

[AsigeAlex]

Another master piece from John Nelson. I am going to save all the videos in a treasure trove play list. BTW, you have any plans for live sessions? I would sign up for those.

[saintuk]

Hi, is there a tutorial on creating this type of layout?

[chapaarundathi]

Could you create a complete tutorial on this? That would be more helpful.

[KieranKelly-os]

FFS that is a map of great Britain NOT the UK
You are totally lacking in credibility to myself now