Inset Map Creator
Context
Inset Map Creator is a tool I wanted to build for a long time: even though creating an inset map is not technically difficult, it repeatedly consumes production time in real newsroom workflows.
I care a lot about these cartographic details and about being fully faithful to what the map represents, so I wanted a workflow where inset maps are precise and reliable rather than approximate.
My role
- Tool development
- Cartography
- Frontend development
I designed and built the full application, including cartographic logic, interaction model, and export pipeline for production use.
Data and methodology
The tool is built with SvelteKit and MapLibre and supports two inset modes: a rotating globe view and a rectangular region view with independent zoom.
Users can define the target area by loading GeoJSON or drawing a bounding box directly on the map, then export the final inset as SVG.
Key decisions
- I prioritized an interface optimized for daily newsroom use, reducing setup steps and keeping controls close to editorial needs.
- The SVG export path was implemented as a first-class feature so outputs can move directly into Illustrator and ai2html without raster-quality loss.
- A reproducible data pipeline was added for country boundaries to keep cartographic consistency and avoid brittle manual updates.
Result
The final tool speeds up inset-map production while improving consistency across stories and devices.
Impact and learnings
- It creates a reliable bridge between interactive map setup and static editorial publishing, reducing manual map prep time in visual stories.