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Making maps cool
Get to know CMU alumnus and map maker extraordinaire John Nelson
Every map needs a starting point. For self-proclaimed map geek John Nelson, that point was Central Michigan University. See how maps — combined with creativity and a passion for helping others learn — have paved the path of his fascinating career.
John’s journey at CMU was unique. He majored in geography, earth science and social science and minored in art. He graduated in 2000, then returned for a master’s in geoscience in 2004.
As a cartographer and UX (user experience) designer on Esri’s ArcGIS Living Atlas team, John “builds a high-resolution, constantly living and growing model of the world that we can take a look at from different angles and interrogate.” Read more about his career journey.
The foremost collection of geographic information from around the globe. This is the description of Esri’s ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, which John works on every day.
His maps impact multiple industries. They support national and local governments and construction and engineering businesses. Medical systems use his maps to discover patterns and conduct predictive analysis to anticipate future health outcomes.
Along with his cool day job, John makes educational content online for almost 40,000 followers on YouTube, 13,000 on Instagram and 26,000 on Twitter. “I learned in college that I never truly understood something unless I explained it to someone. Nothing teaches like teaching. It's exciting to make maps, but it's even more exciting to share the process of that making.”
He travels the world to share his expertise. He delivers keynotes at geography events and leads cartography workshops.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. John’s dad, Burton Nelson, was a CMU geography professor from 1966 through 2006 (81 semesters, according to Burton). Burton and John’s mom, Chris, also are CMU alumni and married on campus in what is now the University Art Gallery.
The magic happens in a custom-built, pine woodshed in his backyard in Michigan. From here, he works full-time at Esri and films his online videos. The wood for the 8x12 structure was harvested in Michigan and milled by John’s brother-in-law. John jokes that his family lets him out occasionally to wrangle the chickens.
Creativity is his fuel. “If you’re a maker, you have to make. It’s in you. I just need to be creating things. Along the way, two or three ideas start percolating, and I just can’t wait to finish this thing so I can get to those next ideas.”
John is passionate about helping students learn about the earth. Satellite imagery is available to all of us for free, but it’s often complex. Along with a team at Esri, John is working to make easy-to-find imagery that students can use, explore and get excited about.
He cares about CMU students’ futures. John finds time to volunteer for CMU’s College of Science and Engineering Advisory Board. This group of industry leaders works to ensure that CMU students have industry-leading programs, as well as partnerships with external partners eager to hire them after earning their degree.
Follow John's journey:
"Each of my roles, whether hauling trash, processing GIS data, or experimenting with early web maps, taught me something about people, systems, and communication." — Alumnus John Nelson
