| 01-11-2025 |
Points |
Challenge Classic: Map with point data (e.g., individual locations, points of interest, clusters). Focus on effective symbolization and density visualization. |
| 02-11-2025 |
Lines |
Challenge Classic: Map linear features (e.g., roads, rivers, migration paths, flow lines). Explore line thickness, color, and direction to convey information. |
| 03-11-2025 |
Polygons |
Challenge Classic: Create a map focused on area features (e.g., administrative regions, land use, boundaries). Use fills, patterns, and choropleth techniques. |
| 04-11-2025 |
Data challenge: My Data |
Map something personal using your own dataset. Visualize GPS traces, your commute, or a unique, small dataset you created. (Need simple data? Try geojson.io) |
| 05-11-2025 |
Earth |
Classical Elements 1/4: Focus on the tangible and grounded. Map landforms, geology, soil, agriculture, elevation, or anything solid beneath your feet. |
| 06-11-2025 |
Dimensions |
Map beyond 2D. Visualize data using 3D models, extrusions (building heights), depth, time (as a dimension), or an unconventional multivariate approach. |
| 07-11-2025 |
Accessibility |
Map how people (or things) get around. Visualize travel time, barriers, inclusive design, public transport reach, or create a map that is itself highly accessible to all users. |
| 08-11-2025 |
Urban |
(World Urbanism Day) Map the built environment: dense street networks, highrises, urban sprawl, city infrastructure, or population density within a metro area. |
| 09-11-2025 |
Analog |
Step away from the screen! Create your map using traditional methods (e.g., pen, pencil, paint, collage, physical models). Show the handmade process! |
| 10-11-2025 |
Air |
Classical Elements 2/4: Focus on the atmosphere. Map weather, wind patterns, air traffic, pollution, or airborne transmission (e.g., pollen, sound). |
| 11-11-2025 |
Minimal map |
Challenge yourself to use the fewest possible elements (color, line weight, labels) while keeping the map clear, useful, and informative. |
| 12-11-2025 |
Map from 2125 |
How will maps look 100 years from now? Create a speculative map of what might be (or what you hope will be). |
| 13-11-2025 |
10 minute map |
Start the timer! The maximum allowed time to design and produce this map is 10 minutes. Focus on speed, simplicity, and core communication. |
| 14-11-2025 |
Data challenge: OpenStreetMap |
Use OpenStreetMap (OSM) data as your primary source. Map your favorite feature, contribute back to the project, or style the map in an interesting way. |
| 15-11-2025 |
Fire |
Classical Elements 3/4: Focus on energy, light, or transformation. Map heat, wildfires, energy consumption, population density at night, or volcanic activity. |
| 16-11-2025 |
Cell |
Map something composed of small, discrete units or networks. This could be a geographic cell (raster, tessellation), a cellular network, or a biological/social process (e.g., disease spread). |
| 17-11-2025 |
A new tool |
Challenge Classic: Experimentation is key! Create your map using a software, language, library, or technique you have never used before. |
| 18-11-2025 |
Out of this world |
Map something non-Earth: a fantasy realm, an exoplanet, the Moon, Mars, deep space, or a purely conceptual place (e.g., a mental map). |
| 19-11-2025 |
Projections |
(GIS Day) Focus entirely on map projections. Choose an unusual or misunderstood projection to highlight a theme, or visualize distortion. (See xkcd.com/977) |
| 20-11-2025 |
Water |
Classical Elements 4/4: Focus on the fluid. Map hydrology, oceans, currents, water accessibility, sea level rise, precipitation, or anything aquatic. |
| 21-11-2025 |
Icons |
Create a map where icons, pictograms, or custom symbols are the main focus. Use them to highlight points of interest or replace traditional cartographic features. |
| 22-11-2025 |
Data challenge: Natural Earth |
Use the Natural Earth dataset as your primary source for a visually stunning small-scale world or continent map. |
| 23-11-2025 |
Process |
Show how you make a map. This could be a tutorial, a step-by-step graphic, a blog post, a video, or a screenshot of your work environment. Combine it with a map from another day! |
| 24-11-2025 |
Places and their names |
Focus on toponymy (place names). Experiment with font choices, label placement, typography, multiple languages, or the history and meaning behind a name. |
| 25-11-2025 |
Hexagons |
Challenge Classic: Use hexagonal binning (hexbins) or a hexagonal grid system to visualize your data. Celebrate this beautiful and efficient tessellation! |
| 26-11-2025 |
Transport |
(World Sustainable Transport Day) Map mobility, traffic flow, public transit networks, logistics chains, or advocate for sustainable transport options. |
| 27-11-2025 |
Boundaries |
Map lines of division—political, physical, ecological, or conceptual. Explore the meaning and impact of a dividing line, real or perceived. |
| 28-11-2025 |
Black |
(Black Friday) Interpret the theme of Black. The map can be purely monochromatic, represent absence/darkness (e.g., light pollution), or relate to themes of consumption. |
| 29-11-2025 |
Raster |
Challenge Classic: Map using raster data. Focus on satellite imagery, elevation models (DEMs), land cover, or pixel-based art. |
| 30-11-2025 |
Makeover |
Take a map you made during the month or an older piece and redesign it. Focus on improving the aesthetics, clarity, or data communication. |