Your world is full of data, and maps help you to make sense of it. There is a growing need to turn geographic data into compelling maps. All users want to create beautiful, interactive maps and infographics with live data, easily and with confidence. The smart mapping mission is to provide a new kind of strong “cartographic artificial intelligence” that enables virtually anyone to visually analyze, create, and share professional quality maps in just a few minutes, with minimal mapping knowledge or software skills.
Smart mapping is designed to give ArcGIS users the confidence and ability to quickly make maps that are visually pleasing and effective. Cartographic expertise is “baked” into ArcGIS, meaning it is part of the fundamental user experience of using ArcGIS. The map results that you see in front of you are driven by the nature of the data itself, the kind of map you want to create, and the kind of story you want to tell.
The point is not to take control away from map authors or dumb down the map-authoring experience, but to be smarter about how all of the initial parameters of the map (color, scale, styling, etc.) are established. For example, each of the Esri basemaps (Streets, Dark Gray Canvas, Topographic, etc.) were paired with several multi-hue color schemes that can be used as the defaults for your operational layers. This way you know your map will look good right out of the box without needing any adjustments.
Mapping professionals still have full control and the ability to extend the default capabilities to create unique customizations and truly exquisite, publication-quality cartography.
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This post is excerpted from The ArcGIS Book: 10 Big Ideas about Applying Geography to Your World. The twin goals of this book are to open your eyes to what is now possible with Web GIS, and then spur you into action by putting the technology and deep data resources in your hands. The book is available through Amazon.com and other booksellers, and is also available at www.TheArcGISBook.com for free.