Educating the Next Generation
Unearth your Potential: Advanced Cartography for Spatial Projects
The geospatial industry moves quickly. Methods evolve, software updates, client expectations rise, and the gap between professionals who keep pace and those who do not becomes more apparent over time. Short, focused training delivered by practitioners who work the field every day is one of the most effective ways to stay ahead.
At Latitude Geospatial, we have developed our own specialist short course in advanced cartography – a subject that is widely underserved in professional development programmes despite being central to the quality of spatial products across every discipline.
We also work in partnership with Arc Aerial Imaging to offer a comprehensive drone aerial imaging masterclass for those involved in drone survey operations.
Both courses are designed for working professionals: they are practical, structured around real-world applications, and delivered by people who use these skills on live projects. Whether you’re attending as an individual or boking part of a team, you will leave with knowledge you can apply immediately.
Advanced Cartography For Spatial Projects
Good cartography is not simply about making maps look presentable. It is about communicating spatial information clearly, accurately, and in a way that is appropriate for the audience and purpose. A well-produced spatial product reduces the risk of misinterpretation, supports better decisions, and reflects the professionalism of the organisation that produced it. Poor cartography undermines all three regardless of how accurate the underlying data may be.
Despite this, cartographic practice receives relatively little attention in most geospatial and surveying training programmes. Our one-day Advanced Cartography course was developed specifically to address that gap.
Who Is This Course For?
The course is aimed at professionals who work with spatial data and are involved in the production of geospatial outputs for clients or internal stakeholders. It is particularly relevant for:
Land and topographic surveyors
Drone survey operators
Site engineers working with spatial datasets
CAD technicians producing survey drawings and plans
GIS analysts responsible for map and report production
Anyone who wants to improve the quality and professionalism of the spatial products they deliver
No prior formal training in cartography is required. The course is designed to build on existing practical experience and give participants a structured understanding of why cartographic decisions matter and how to make better ones.
What The Course Covers
The course combines theoretical grounding with practical application across a full day of structured, tutor-led training. Topics covered include:
Cartographic Principles: The fundamental rules that govern effective map design including visual hierarchy, figure-ground relationships, generalisation, and the appropriate use of symbolisation, colours, and typography. Understanding these principles allows practitioners to make deliberate, justified design decisions rather than relying on software defaults.
Map Projection & Coordinate Systems: How to select the appropriate projection and coordinate system for a given product and audience, and the common errors that arise from using the wrong one. This is particularly relevant for professionals working across different national and international coordinate frameworks.
Scale, Resolution, & Level Of Detail: How to match the level of detail in a spatial product to the scale at which it will be used and how to avoid the common pitfall of including more information than the product can clearly communicate at its intended output size.
Colour & Symbology: Practical guidance on the use of colour in spatial products including accessibility considerations, the appropriate use of sequential, diverging, and qualitative colour schemes, and how to avoid colour combinations that reduce readability or introduce unintended meaning.
Labelling & Annotation: Principles and best practices for text placement, font selection, and annotation in spatial products, including the handling of conflicting labels and the use of leader lines and call-outs in complex environments.
Industry Examples & Best Practice: Review of real-world spatial products, both exemplary and problematic, to illustrate how cartographic decisions affect the usability of the output.
Practical Application: A hands-on component which participants apply the principles covered during the course to produce or refine a spatial product with tutor feedback and discussion.
Why This Course Matters
The quality of spatial products is at the point at which a client’s experience of your technical work becomes visible. A survey or analysis that has been carried out to a high standard but is presented through a poorly designed map or drawing does not communicate the value of the work behind it. Conversely, a well-design product builds client confidence, reduces the need for revisions, and sets a professional apart from the competition.
From £295 per person, this course represents a straightforward investment in the quality of your professional output and the credibility of your organisation’s work. Group discounts are available for teams of three or more, making it practical for organisations to upskill multiple members of staff in a single session. Contact our award-winning team to book your place.
Delivered in partnership with Arc Aerial Imaging, this three-day masterclass is designed for drone operators, surveyors, and geospatial professionals who want to develop a thorough, practical understanding of how to plan, acquire, and process drone aerial imagery to surveying standards.
Arc Aerial Imaging are specialists in drone-borne acquisition and have developed a programme that addresses the full workflow; from pre-flight planning and mission design through to data processing and the production of accurate, compliant geospatial datasets. Their team brings direct operational experience to the training environment, ensuring what is taught reflects current best practices in the field.
To register or find out more, contact Arc Aerial Imaging directly: