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There are 3 modules in this course
Design Stunning Maps is a beginner-friendly course for data analysts and professionals who want their maps to communicate clearly, accurately, and professionally. Many maps fail not because the data is wrong, but because design choices around color, layout, and emphasis make them hard to read. This course shows you how to fix that.
You’ll learn core cartography principles that help maps tell a clear story—how to apply color theory to thematic data, place essential map elements correctly, and evaluate maps for strong visual hierarchy. Through short videos, practical readings, hands-on labs, and realistic review scenarios, you’ll practice diagnosing common design problems and making targeted improvements.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to confidently critique and refine maps for real-world use, including reports and presentations. You’ll finish with the skills needed to deliver a publication-ready map suitable for an annual report, ensuring your work is not only accurate, but clear, trustworthy, and easy for others to understand.
This lesson introduces learners to how color choices influence interpretation, accuracy, and trust in maps. Learners explore sequential, diverging, and categorical color schemes and practice selecting palettes that match data types and communication goals.
What's included
2 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 7 minutes
Lets Learn How To Design Awesome Maps•3 minutes
Choosing the Right Color Scheme for Your Data•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 8 minutes
Color Theory Basics for Thematic Mapping•6 minutes
Walkthrough How to Improve a Thematic Map Using Color Theory•2 minutes
2 assignments•Total 20 minutes
Hands-on Learning: Apply Color Theory to a Thematic Map•15 minutes
Practice Quiz: Color scheme in Real-World Mapping Scenarios•5 minutes
Placing Essential Elements Correctly
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
Learners break down the anatomy of a professional map and learn where to place titles, legends, scale bars, north arrows, and sources so the map reads clearly without distraction.
What's included
1 video2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 6 minutes
The Essential Elements Every Map Needs•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 8 minutes
Common Layout Mistakes and How to Avoid Them•6 minutes
Walkthrough How to Rebuild a Map Layout for Clarity•2 minutes
2 assignments•Total 20 minutes
Hands-on Learning: Rebuild a Map Layout for Clarity•15 minutes
Practice Quiz: Identify Correct and Incorrect Element Placement•5 minutes
Seeing Like a Designer: Critiquing Maps for Visual Hierarchy
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
This lesson develops learners’ ability to evaluate maps critically. Learners learn how contrast, alignment, size, and spacing guide the viewer’s attention and practice diagnosing visual problems in real examples.
What's included
2 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 5 minutes
Visual Hierarchy Explained for Maps•3 minutes
Congratulations! You’re Ready to Design Better Maps•2 minutes
2 readings•Total 8 minutes
A Simple Checklist for Evaluating Map Design•6 minutes
Walkthrough How to Critique and Improve a Map’s Visual Hierarchy•2 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
Hands-on Learning: Critique and Improve a Map’s Visual Hierarchy•15 minutes
Graded Assessment: Design Review: Is This Map Publication-Ready?•20 minutes
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Is financial aid available?
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