ABSTRACT
You might wonder if, through this discussion on creativity, I am advocating the use of elaborate and gratuitously ornate graphics on a layout. Indeed not! (Unless you are making a map of where all the elaborate and gratuitously ornate maps reside in the world.) Creativity can mean omitting a graphic element that does not add value even though it is found on most maps (logos are a good example of this). It can mean venturing to do things in a new way when the old way just doesn’t seem to work anymore. Creativity means being open to new possibilities and being willing to implement them, even in the face of resistance from the traditionalists. And through this openness you will create maps that more closely honor their unique data and message than any robot-like mapmaker out there could.
