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Top GIS Voices 2024: Evan Applegate

Cartographer featured in National Geographic, creating stunning maps for brands, spaces, and enthusiasts

Evan Applegate
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Evan Applegate isn’t just a cartographer—he’s a storyteller, designer, and advocate for making good maps. With a career defined by artistry, precision, and creativity, Evan has built a reputation for crafting maps that are as beautiful as they are functional.

A Cartographer with Vision

As the Principal of The Map Consultancy, Evan creates maps that sell and stand out. Whether it’s mapping pipelines for HF Sinclair, funding targets for Bloomberg Philanthropies, or creating stunning backlit maps of New York for Radiant Maps, Evan’s work delivers both impact and elegance.

His approach combines years of experience with a clear philosophy: maps make your brand, your room, and your story look good.

A Portfolio of Excellence

Evan’s maps have graced some of the most prestigious platforms, including National Geographic Magazine, where he contributed multiple two-page spreads and detailed maps during his internship. His work reflects a deep understanding of:

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Information design
  • High-end cartography

From editorial designs for Bloomberg Businessweek to his bespoke projects at Radiant Maps, Evan consistently delivers maps that are visually compelling and technically precise.

Beyond the Map: Sharing Knowledge

Evan’s passion for cartography extends beyond making maps—he wants others to make them, too. Through platforms like:

  • youshouldmakemaps.com – Encouraging others to dive into cartography
  • veryexpensivemaps.com – Conversations with fellow cartographers on what makes maps exceptional
  • His personal website, evanapplegate.com, where he writes about mapping and design

Evan has built a community where mapmakers and enthusiasts can learn, share, and create.

A Champion of Design

Evan’s dedication to the craft has earned him numerous honors, including:

  • Gold Cube for Editorial Design
  • Yellow Pencil Awards for Magazine and Newspaper Design
  • Best Cartographic Design Awards

Whether creating practical maps for reports or artistic pieces that elevate spaces, Evan’s work proves that maps are more than data—they’re art.

Why Evan Applegate Deserves Celebration

Evan Applegate is a vocational cartographer with a mission: to make maps that matter. From National Geographic to his consultancy, he has set a standard for cartographic excellence that combines design, detail, and storytelling.

Thank you, Evan, for reminding us that maps aren’t just tools—they’re expressions of beauty, knowledge, and creativity 🌍🗺️. Your work inspires us all to see the world through a sharper, more thoughtful lens.