Visualizing

a country in focus

Bryan N — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:54:49 +0000

Recently, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with a new design that could be used in a presentation or a brochure, showing the overview of the country. The map includes terrain (using a satellite image), the major cities, and the province (state) boundaries. It was fun to give this map a simple, artistic ‘feel’ by clipping out only the country of interest and adding the black, outer glow. If you’re wondering, the hole in the map is another country, Lesotho. For a larger image size, just click on it below.

the island glow

Bryan N — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:23:41 +0000

Here is a technique I’ve been working on – using a glow around island coastlines. The first image below shows a 1 km. white buffer, while the second image is a series of buffers, moving from white to light blue to the ocean blue. The glow adds a nice effect, and I was glad to find out how to do it from an article on ESRI’s website.

The world’s population terrain

Bryan N — Fri, 27 May 2011 21:46:27 +0000

Here’s a map I created with some 3D mapping software, ArcScene. Terrain is represented by people … Notice the major population centers in Asia, Indonesia, the skyscraper of Cairo, Nigeria, East Africa, Northern Africa, Europe, and the coast of the Americas. The data is from the Gridded Population of the World.

Maps for a foundation

Bryan N — Thu, 19 May 2011 20:10:30 +0000

Recently, a Christian foundation based in Colorado Springs asked GMI to brief their board of directors on the major trends in global Christianity. This is something for which GMI is well-positioned, as we constantly interact with data on the world and its religious landscape. I picked a color scheme for the report graphics, and we designed many maps for the report.

Here is an example below. This map shows where the world’s major religions are clustered. The many visualizations in the briefing will hopefully help the foundation’s leadership to make better decisions about where to give their resources. John 4:35 says, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Information on topics such as religions, health, and population can help leaders see where the greatest needs are and to direct resources to assist in spreading the Gospel.

Drop shadows

Bryan N — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:41:26 +0000

Recently, I’ve been working on some new map designs, incorporating a subtle drop shadow technique. I noticed how well this technique accented and enhanced the maps in the Atlas of Global Christianity. Here is one of my new designs, using Operation World data for the number of Evangelicals. Also, notice how many countries in Asia, Africa, and South America have large Evangelical populations, as well as North America which has over 94 million. Data + graphic design = good stuff.

So how does Operation World define Evangelicals? See this.

Interview with Jason Mandryk and Patrick Johnstone

Bryan N — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 23:59:23 +0000

Here is a video with Jason Mandryk (current author of Operation World) and Patrick Johnstone (founder and previous author of Operation World). It’s a great story of the vision of the book, how it started, and how it continues to impact lives!

Operation World DVD – a wealth of info!

Bryan N — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:14:37 +0000

The Operation World DVD is a great supplement to the book, complete with an electronic version of the book, full-color maps and charts, the underlying database, powerpoint presentations, and videos. It’s a resource to enhance the prayer movement for the nations. Brigada wrote the following review. I had the privilege of helping with some of the map designs. To order, see GMI’s website!

Operation World Prayer map finished!

Bryan N — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:35:04 +0000

Check out and order the new Operation World Prayer Map here! www.gmi.org/owmap. I was glad to see the final copies delivered from the printer yesterday. It’s been a long design process with great input from many people. We hope it will be an important mobilizing tool for prayer for the nations and a nice supplement to the Operation World book!

Working on Operation World maps

Bryan N — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:29:28 +0000

With the change of seasons here in Colorado comes a project with many aspects and tasks: Operation World. GMI will serve as the cartographers and electronic resource designers – or, in other words, make the maps and create the content for an electronic version of the book. Operation World (www.operationworld.info), a highly- informative prayer guide for the nations of the world, is produced by Jason Mandryk and his team in the United Kingdom. GMI and Operation World have had a unique partnership for many years.

My role will be to produce a poster-sized wall map and other thematic maps for the book and website. I have spent many hours placing labels for all of the countries and capitals of the world, as well as designing inset maps and tables. It’s been a privilege to interact with the team in the UK and exchange ideas for these visualizations. A snapshot of a draft of the poster is shown below, and the final version will be available in the summer or fall.

power and unity

Bryan N — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:24:55 +0000

Recently, I have been reading the book of Ephesians. Among the many themes, two that stand out specifically are the power we have in Christ and the unity that is necessary for the Church to fulfill God’s mission. As an invitee to the upcoming Lausanne Conference on World Evangelization (October), we have been asked to study the book of Ephesians and reflect on certain themes each month.

One of my favorite passages related to God’s power reads, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21). As believers, God’s power resides within us! What encouraging knowledge as we face our various tasks.

This next passage addresses unity: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4: 2-5). In the broader world of Christian missions, as well as among the staff in GMI’s office, partnership and unity are essential in reflecting the heart of God and accomplishing His mission, and this requires love and respect for other individuals and organizations.

As we serve many ministries through mapping at GMI, it is encouraging to remember we are all working toward the same goal of making Christ known. If you would like more information on the Lausanne Conference, see www.capetown2010.com. Apart from preparing for that, I have been busy as usual on different projects, including a detailed language map for West Africa and designing maps for church-planting organizations in South Asia.

Many thanks to those who support Global Mapping International financially and with your prayers!