Cartography

Esri via Independent

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Details

This course may be unavailable.

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Provider

Independent
Pricing

Free Online Course
Languages

English
Duration & workload

6 weeks
Sessions

Finished
Level

Intermediate

A Best Course of All Time

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Once, only cartographers made maps. Today anyone can. Still, cartographers can teach people to make better maps, just as chefs can show people how to cook better meals. With coaching from experienced cartographers and practical, hands-on exercises using ArcGIS Pro, you'll become a smarter mapmaker, ready to go beyond the defaults and make better maps.

Syllabus

Section 1

Getting Started: Let's Get Mapping

Consider the value and purpose of cartography as science and art. Get set up with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and exercise data. Use ArcGIS Pro to design a small-format, multiscale topographic map, using generalization tools and scale-dependent symbology. Use layouts for composition. Add contextual detail, insets, legends, and marginalia.

Section 2

Math for Mapmakers

Explore how coordinate systems, transformations, and projections affect your map's message. Deal with the effects of projections and data classification methods on thematic maps. Design and publish a custom basemap in a nonstandard projection to support thematic data. Build attribute-driven symbology. Publish a multiscale web map and app.

Section 3

Language of Graphics

See how generalization, symbology, and color affect your story. Explore generalization techniques that reduce feature complexity for smaller-scale displays. Create a variety of thematic maps, including choropleth, proportional symbol, value-by alpha, and multivariate maps. Change symbology and use transparency in creative ways.

Section 4

Labels and Composition

Learn a little about typography, label placement, and map composition. Set up a palette of label styles for different features and explore options for positioning them around other map details. Create a layout that includes a range of marginalia. Use ArcGIS expressions to define labels in innovative ways.

Section 5

Mapping in 3D

Consider how to best use the z dimension to represent data for both reference and thematic maps. Use 3D symbology and develop a sense of when 3D adds value to your map. Build 3D web scenes and vary the way features are represented using attributes and dynamic symbology.

Section 6

Mapping Change

Use the time-aware and animation controls in ArcGIS Pro to design maps that show temporal change. Direct an animated movie to map change; add captions and dynamic overlay information; and publish in a range of popular, shareable formats. Create a display of small multiples for an infographic poster.

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 243 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Cartography

Anonymous

This was my first foray into ArcPro. And it had a lot of interesting bells and whistles to it. The MOOC focused on a lot of things that were way above my skill level, like animation and 3D mapping, and I felt that while it was interesting to see wha…

This was my first foray into ArcPro. And it had a lot of interesting bells and whistles to it. The MOOC focused on a lot of things that were way above my skill level, like animation and 3D mapping, and I felt that while it was interesting to see what could be done with it, that I personally would probably never have reason to do it.

It had a lot of things that I as a simple mapper would probably never need, but I did appreciate a few of the simple cartography tools. Symbology was a lot more powerful than in its ArcMap cousin.

As far as the videos went, I didn't get much out of them besides the opinions of the three people in them and the interesting old cartography tools they were looking at. I'm a visual person, and the lack of examples of what they were talking about meant that I had little to no idea as to what some of the things they talked about would actually look like. I feel that this hampered my ability to understand considerably.

I really enjoyed the layout of the tutorial documents. It was incredibly easy to get lost in ArcPro, but the pictures made navigation much easier in something so strange and foreign. I found the exercises interesting, even if for most of them that scared-of-change voice in the back of my head whispered "why are they doing it this way when ArcMap does it another way?". I found labeling almost as aggravating as in ArcMap, but there were a few things that came in handy (breaking up by classes).

I wish that I had more time to devote to this MOOC; it might have been interesting to take a look at the forums. But I feel that the theory discussed in the tutorials was useful. I wish that this MOOC talked more about the theory behind symbology; what works, and some general rules. Symbology is one of the toughest things for me, and I would have appreciated some sort of section focusing on it as thoroughly as map projections were focused on.

All that aside, I'm glad that I was able to participate in this MOOC. Thank you for having me.
S.A.Rasooli @Rasooli
3

I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the Esri cartography course teachers. They have done an excellent job of delivering high-quality content and engaging activities that helped me learn and apply the principles and techniques of cartography. I have gained valuable skills and knowledge to enhance my professional development and career prospects. The course was well-organized, informative, and enjoyable. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about cartography and GIS. Thank you for your dedication and expertise.
Ijaz Ali @EngIjazAli
2

I really enjoyed this course and learned a lot about Cartography from some of the most well known GIS Experts !
Lily Jennifer @lramirez
3

Thorough, inciteful, positively challenging with a creative push. The videos were a great addition as students were able to relate to hosts and connect with their work via social media. I was able to fine tune my GIS skills and learned a few new tricks and tips which can make my cartography skills speed up!
Gerald Omollo Otana
1

The Cartography course was an engaging and insightful journey into the art and science of map design. It emphasized purposeful choices—like isolating visual variables and using small multiples—to communicate spatial change effectively. Expert instructors shared practical techniques and creative inspiration, making complex concepts accessible and enjoyable. I especially appreciated the focus on animation, labeling, and avoiding default software settings to elevate map quality. The course blended theory with hands-on examples, encouraging thoughtful design and storytelling. Whether you're a GIS professional or a curious learner, this course offers valuable tools to make maps that are not only accurate but compelling.
Catherine Schenck-yglesias @cgschenck
6

Step by step instructions and maps that you can save after each course assignment. Plus welcome advice from experts on the art of map-making.
Anonymous

El curso de Cartografía fue una experiencia muy enriquecedora que permitió comprender cómo los mapas son herramientas fundamentales para representar, analizar y comunicar información geográfica. A lo largo de las lecciones aprendí sobre las proyecci…

El curso de Cartografía fue una experiencia muy enriquecedora que permitió comprender cómo los mapas son herramientas fundamentales para representar, analizar y comunicar información geográfica. A lo largo de las lecciones aprendí sobre las proyecciones cartográficas, la simbología, las escalas, la generalización de datos y la creación de mapas temáticos y animaciones 2D y 3D.

Destaco especialmente la claridad de los contenidos y la manera en que cada módulo combina teoría con ejercicios prácticos, lo cual facilita la aplicación de los conocimientos en proyectos reales. El uso de herramientas de ArcGIS Pro y otras aplicaciones de Esri ayudó a visualizar mejor los conceptos y a fortalecer habilidades técnicas en el manejo de datos espaciales.

En general, considero que este curso fomenta una visión moderna y profesional de la cartografía, integrando tanto el análisis científico como el diseño visual. Fue una excelente oportunidad para desarrollar competencias digitales y comprender la importancia del lenguaje gráfico en la representación del territorio.
Jude Itoyah @Itoyah2SaintJude

The course provided an exceptional learning experience, allowing me to delve deeply into the art of cartography. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of further honing and expanding the skills I acquired during this Cartography MOOC. My sincere thanks for your guidance, sir.
Anonymous

This is a great course for learning to make attractive maps that communicate ideas well. Like most ESRI MOOCs the skills you learn are only the beginning and when the course instructions tell you to play around with other settings or parameters, DO THAT. There's so much under the hood in ArcGIS that even a lengthy MOOC can only scratch the surface.

Not every student is going to be making every kind of map they cover, but every week of this course is worth going through thoroughly because even the maps you'll probably never make are still awesome looking and both fun and educational to play around with.
Anonymous

This course is an incredible way to learn about cartography because it doesn't only teach cartography, but it also allows for students to grow a deeper interest through the sections of each week's video. I recommend that anyone interested in cartography with any level of experience gives this course a try.
Anonymous

This was the perfect class to help me learn where to click to find the functions in ArcGIS Pro 3.5 that I was familiar with in ArcMap, as well as learn a bunch of new skills. At first it was intimidating but the instructions were so clear and the instructors were so much fun I felt like I was part of a supportive team. Great class! I didn't expect to giggle so much during the videos!
BATABADI Eninam Thierry

This Esri course on cartography was truly enriching. The explanations were clear, and the practical examples helped me better understand how to use ArcGIS Pro and GIS tools effectively. As a student in geomatics and cartography, I greatly improved my skills in spatial analysis and map design. I’m very satisfied with this training and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to master digital cartography and strengthen their mapping expertise.
Anonymous

It’s a great learning particularly the 3D animation to make it easy to understand by viewer. I need more learning to improve my mapping skill. However my workings are of 2D mapping and 3D mapping a bit new to me. The course was well structured and useful for future mapping. The 3D map making and animation and convert to movie frames were very useful.
Anonymous

Este curso de Cartografía con ArcGIS Pro me permitió aprender de manera práctica a manejar herramientas SIG, realizar análisis espaciales y generar mapas profesionales. Los ejercicios son claros y progresivos, lo que facilita el aprendizaje incluso si eres principiante. Muy recomendable para quienes buscan fortalecer sus habilidades en geografía y análisis geoespacial.
Anonymous

Really great and compact course. I learned a ton through this course and skills quickly build on each other. A great way to reacquaint yourself with ArcGIS Pro, as it has been a while for me. Instructors are funny and the videos were informative, but not a technical slog. Great job.
Anonymous

I’ve attended many ESRI courses, and they were all very good. However, I have one suggestion — it would be better to include video tutorials instead of PDF documents, as that would make the learning experience more engaging and interesting.
Mandy Gibson

Great course, easy to grasp for someone who has never done any GIS before, yet I believe it would still be challenging for someone new to ArcGIS Pro, and they have "stretch goals" if ou want a bigger challenge!
Anonymous

This course is a very good introduction to Cartography. Now I want to learn more so I can enable social science students to build maps as a way to communicate changes in the history of the world.
Anonymous

Excellent course! Topics covered to improve current understanding of cartography. Explanations are simple and understandable even for beginners. From 2D to 3D and animation, there is a full range of mapping options.
Anonymous

Takes you beyond basic cartography. Learning how to animate a dynamic map was more than I could have hoped for. Great instructors at ESRI. They make it fun and you learn a lot.