#30DayMapChallenge
We make maps, lots of maps and we make maps matter. Our maps provide insight and information to help decision makers working in fragile and complex places.
We were happy to join in the 2024 #30DayMapChallenge. Here are our maps.
2024 Map Challenge
Day 1
Points
Theme:
Our map shows the development and increase of household reservoirs across the South-West of Afghanistan, spanning from 2016 to 2022.
Day 2
Lines
Theme:
Here is a map of Afghanistan, with different provincial lines to show the various routes from agricultural areas to their closest market.
Day 3
Polygons
Theme:
For our work in supporting Seeds for Development in ensuring Food Security in Uganda, we used polygons show distances from roads to schools.
Day 4
Hexagons
Theme:
Hexagons help map patterns effectively, and this gif is one way that we have used hexagons to understand these complex environments.
Day 5
A journey
Theme:
Last month, members of our team took part in the Fuerte Bike race in Fuerteventura. This gif is a visual of Simon's journey - Look at him go
Day 6
Raster
Theme:
This map shows how we used NDVI (crop health) data to see how conflict has impacted crops in Ukraine. Less green means less crop growth.
Day 7
Vintage Style
Theme:
Here, our team created a vintage-style map of Afghanistan, one of the key countries where we use GIS to understand changes in environments.
Day 8
Data: HDX
Theme:
We used HDX data to create a product highlighting flash flood incidents in Afghanistan from 2019-2024, revealing key environmental changes.
Day 9
AI only
Theme:
While AI is intelligent, there are areas where it lacks accurate results. We asked AI to make a map of Africa, and it created this...
Day 10
Pen & Paper
Theme:
One of our team members is living in Valencia, Spain. Inspired by her home country, she drew outlines of Spanish speaking countries.
Day 11
Arctic
Theme:
A surging glacier advances rapidly, moving up to 100 times faster than its usual flow, often in sudden bursts over months or even years.
Day 12
Time and Space
Theme:
The gif shows the construction of the Khush Tepa Canal, in Afghanistan. We think it's a good example of somewhere changing over time.
Day 13
A new Tool
Theme:
We created a schematic map comparing checkpoint distribution under the Republic vs. Taliban rule, inspired by the London Underground.
Day 14
A World map
Theme:
We created this product, which shows countries flipped at a 180 degree angle. Our team is flipping perspectives, one country at a time!
Day 15
Data: My data
Theme:
While we pride ourselves in making clear and informative products, today, one of our marketing team had a go. Spreading peace and love!
Day 16
Choropleth
Theme:
We're no stranger to choropleth. This map shows the different livelihood levels in Afghanistan through pink, purple and blue hexagons.
Day 17
Collaborative map
Theme:
Five of our team took off on bicycles or running shoes to create the letters that make up 'Alcis.' Can you guess who went the furthest?
Day 18
3D
Theme:
Here is a 3D rendering of the mountains of Badakhshan. We used Nasa's DEM (digitial elevation model) data when making this product.
Day 19
Typography
Theme:
We looked at imagery from places around the world to spell out the words of 'Alcis'. If you've been to Burning Man, 'C' might look familiar.
Day 20
Data: OpenStreetMap
Theme:
This map was inspired by our work in The Gambia, we've identified roads (lined in green) throughout the country using Open Street Map data.
Day 21
Conflict
Theme:
At Alcis, we work in conflict zones around the globe, like Sudan. We analysed ACLED data to map the locations of violence and its reach.
Day 22
2 colours
Theme:
Members of our team came together to create a product showing agricultural levels in Southern Afghanistan, using only green and grey.
Day 23
Memory
Theme:
A member of our team took a shot at allocating U.S states to their regions and she was almost spot on! Can you tell which ones she missed?
Day 24
Only circular shapes
Theme:
Explore global volcanic exposure with our map. Small circles = low risk, large circles = high. Hope you’re lava-ing this volcanic insight!
Day 25
Heat
Theme:
We created a gif to show the difference in temperature, in north-east Afghanistan, from June - September 2024. Red = hot, blue = cold.
Day 26
Map projections
Theme:
Members of our team used a mix of unusual projected coordinated systems (PCS) to show all of the different ways to view a flattened Earth!
Day 27
Micromapping
Theme:
We created a snapshot of Afghan farmland, where crop fields, harvested crops, and a tractor come together to offer agricultural insights.
Day 28
The Blue Planet
Theme:
Our team created a map of the Kajaki Dam, which is part of the Helmand River, a source of water security for many local communities.
Day 29
Data: Overture
Theme:
Following the tragic flooding in Valencia, Spain, we used Overture data to visualise the different uses of buildings in a condensed area.
Day 30
The Final Map
Theme:
Our Managing Director's passion for water sports inspired him to try one every day for 30 days—though we're not ready for that challenge!