Maps have been a foundational tool in journalism for hundreds of years. They provide context and can help readers understand where and even why things happen. In modern newsrooms, maps are used across various types of stories. These range from weather forecasts and locators for breaking news to explainers, deep dives, and months-long investigations. They engage and inform broad audiences, including those deeply invested in subjects, as well as those simply scrolling through a newsfeed. In the world of cartography, mapping the news requires a distinct and unique skill set.
I recently connected with Lauren Tierney to learn more about making maps in a newsroom. Before joining Esri as a senior product manager for Mapping and Cartography, Tierney worked as a cartographer for The Washington Post and National Geographic. In this conversation, we discuss a typical day in a newsroom and some of her favorite projects. Check out the video above for some of Tierney’s tips about a cartographic career in journalism. And find out how her time in a newsroom has made her a better cartographer.
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Lauren Tierney
Lauren Tierney is the senior product manager of Mapping and Cartography at Esri. Before joining Esri in 2024, she was a senior graphics reporter at The Washington Post, as well as a graphics editor at National Geographic Magazine. She has a master’s degree in geography from the University of Oregon. Tierney is a cartographer who enjoys telling stories with maps and specializes in mapping environment, climate, wildlife, and adventure topics.
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