Food Access Locator Map
Cartography by: Nuzhat Tabassum Nawshin, Delaney Gobster, and Dragan Mikulin
Tools: Leaflet, JavaScript, HTML+CSS
This interactive map was the final project for my Interactive Cartography and Geovisualization (GEOG 575) course at UW-Madison, created in collaboration with two of my peers. Designed for desktop use, our map visualizes food access points in Dane County and the surrounding areas in Wisconsin. Our goal was to create a single platform to connect diverse users -from social workers, local farmers and organizations to local residents- with food resources, donation opportunities, and collaboration networks. Built with Leaflet.js, this web map was our attempt to apply concepts and skills learned from earlier coursework to a collaborative, real-world scenario.
As part of our proposal, we developed user personas and outlined design concepts for both visual representation and interaction operators. I contributed to the map's design, focusing on the basemap creation, intuitive map markers for food access points, implementing dropdown filter menus with checkboxes for user-defined queries, and creating an informative legend for enhanced clarity. The map’s color palette was carefully chosen for readability and contrast, while the inclusion of both zoom and pan controls, a clear font, and a simple layout ensured a highly accessible experience. A built-in “how-to” guide further supported users in navigating the tool effectively.
Through this project, I honed technical skills like debugging interactivity, managing geospatial datasets, and aligning map functionality with user-centered design principles. The process taught me to balance usability and aesthetics, ensuring the final map was both accessible and engaging for users seeking to address food accessibility challenges in the region.
