Author Archives: wilbedford

Topography comes-to-life in this rather striking rendition of Grand Rapids, Michigan and environs, designed to support a study of public park canopy coverage and as a public-interest display vehicle for on-going collaborative projects between Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the City of Grand Rapids. The basemap was created by generating a hillshade layer fromContinue reading “Grand Rapids Michigan – Public Park Boundaries”

Beach Access, Lodging and Amenities – Playa Guiones – Nosara, Costa Rica Design Goal The map sets out to craft a cartographic improvement over an existing map that is available in the region, below: It seeks to provide improved symbology, layout, legibility and readability. The basic design is intentionally limited to showing only ten ofContinue reading “Nosara, Costa Rica – Surfing Vacation Reference Map”

This map was derived from my ArcGISPro original, exported to Adobe Illustrator for cartographic enhancements not available within ArcGIS Pro, particularly with respect to the placement of labels. Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has undertaken a grant program to fund locations throughout the state with the establishment of electric vehicle chargingContinue reading “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Michigan – Improved”

This map was produced completely within ArcGIS Pro, designed for distribution at Michigan highway rest areas for tourists and travelers in electric vehicles to help locate publicly available electric vehicle charging stations. The map is focused on public level 3 Fast charging stations that are open 24 hours. The map offers a great benefit overContinue reading “Michigan’s Electric Vehicle Charging Stations”

Typography and Symbology on a Painted Physiographic Basemap Designing typography and symbolic reference information into a painted map. Design Goal The basemap painting is beautiful. It’s importance in the visual hierarchy is significant to the purpose of the map, as the visual anchor for the addition of the reference information. The cartographic elements are strictlyContinue reading “Cartographic Labeling – William Bedford”

Panagrammatic Typographic Design Study – Click the download button to view. The logotypes design challenges displayed below are “Michigan State University” and “Greenpeace.” Logotype design for Michigan State University. The essence of Michigan State University is complete, elegant, straightforward advanced education. The use of ERAS light in the MSU logo achieves a straightfoward, elegant simplicity,Continue reading “Typography – William Bedford”

It is a pleasure to be working in Adobe Illustrator again! When I was about 5 years into my first job as a cartographer, probably 1987, it was the dawn of the Macintosh era. It was plain to see that Adobe Illustrator could replace our long hours at the light table and in the darkContinue reading “Cartographic Tools & Symbols – William Bedford”