I knew someone who was a cartographer. Out of genuine curiosity I asked him how he does his job - like, does he look at other maps and re-draw them? He got offended and just turned and walked away. I still don't know the answer, but I highly doubt he's out there on the high seas navigating with a sextant and what not.
We use computers and a lot of behind the scenes math. There are different levels too. Like someone can just be getting all their data from other sources (administrative boundaries, demographic data, road networks, etc) or they can be producing it themselves from their organizations historic data. Some maps dont require analysis, like a hunting map that shows hunters where their tag allows them to hunt.
The software looks fairly similar to a CAD software or Photoshop. We use python or r as programing languages to process large datasets and then use statistical analysis to determine patterns or trends that can inform decision making.
He drew his maps by hand - and I didn't see any computers in his work area. I think he was actually anti-computer, as I recall him making cracks about how his wife (graphic designer) would use one "to do her work for her."
This was back in the 1990s, and I knew him via a group of artist friends who were all very traditional in materials, etc. (I was the odd one out being a photographer, even being before digital photography). I have no idea who his clients were, but I imagine they were much more 'niche' than say, textbook publishers. It was just a funny interaction and the guy seemed to always have a problem with me after that.
Ahh ok yeah stuff where scale and accurate distance wasn’t as important as just the conceptual placement of things.
Yeah think he might just have been a weird dude cause I’m asked that question all the time. It was even more niche in the 90s so he was probably pissy with a lot of people!
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u/horshack_test 23h ago
I knew someone who was a cartographer. Out of genuine curiosity I asked him how he does his job - like, does he look at other maps and re-draw them? He got offended and just turned and walked away. I still don't know the answer, but I highly doubt he's out there on the high seas navigating with a sextant and what not.