Mokupuni Hawai'i
This map was inspired by an animated 3D cartographic style featured in a National Geographic documentary. I wanted to see whether a similar look could be achieved using ArcGIS Pro, and how far the software could be pushed toward clean, simplified, and visually engaging 3D terrain rendering.
The result is a stylized depiction of the Hawaiian Islands that balances accuracy with approachability. A saturated, tropical colour palette reinforces the setting without overwhelming the terrain, while all islands and mountain peaks are labeled using their traditional Hawaiian names. The map is designed to feel intuitive to a general audience, but still grounded in real data.
One small but deliberate detail is the north arrow, which is drawn as a three-dimensional object resting on the ocean surface. Rather than acting as a flat layout graphic, it reflects true north within the 3D scene itself, reinforcing the spatial logic of the map.
This project was created largely for fun, but it also serves as a demonstration of how ArcGIS Pro can be used to produce simplified 3D terrain visualizations suitable for public-facing maps and presentations. It shows that cartographic clarity, cultural respect, and aesthetic impact don’t have to come at the expense of accuracy.
2024-08-10