Web Cartographer
Do you see the world in layers? Ever find yourself redesigning someone else’s map web interface in your head?
Motivf is seeking a distinctly creative and technically skilled Web Cartographer to join our design and technology teams. Motivf is looking for a digital mapmaker who treats cartography as equal parts design, code, and quiet obsession. If hex colors thrill you as much as hillshades, and you have strong opinions about label placement, we should talk.
The ideal candidate is passionate about map-making and has a sharp eye for aesthetics, particularly in digital environments. You will be responsible for designing and editing beautiful, informative maps using industry standard desktop and web-based technologies, with a special emphasis on applying refined textures, color palettes, and styles that enhance storytelling and clarity.
Key Responsibilities
Apply and develop refined textures, gradients, and visual treatments to enhance map aesthetics and readability
Collaborate with GIS analysts, UX/UI designers, and developers to transform spatial data into visually compelling and functional cartographic products
Interpret complex data sets and communicate geographic information through creative visual storytelling
Maintain consistency with Motivf’s design standards while pushing creative boundaries
Optimize maps for accessibility, performance, and responsiveness across devices
Support cartographic needs across client and internal projects, including public, private, and nonprofit sectors
Stay current on trends and best practices in modern cartography and geospatial visualization
Design, edit, and refine maps for web and digital platforms using Adobe Creative Suite and other design tools
Qualifications
Required:
At least two years making beautiful, functional maps—whether through cartography, graphic design, or web-based wizardry.
An eye for clean layouts, clear stories, and the kind of design choices that make people actually want to keep scrolling.
You know how to add polish: texture, layering, nuance, and restraint.
You speak fluent .SVG and understand how to prep assets for the web without breaking everything.
You play well with others and can explain design choices without getting defensive.
A portfolio that shows off your map style and makes us wish we made it ourselves.
Experience designing maps with a focus on aesthetics, legibility, and storytelling
Preferred:
Familiarity with GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, etc.)
Experience with web map libraries such as Mapbox, Leaflet, or D3.js
Understanding of visual design principles, including color theory, typography, spatial hierarchy, composition, and proportional systems such as the golden ratio.
Understanding of accessibility principles in map and graphic design
Experience working in mission-driven or government environments
Broader creative chops—illustration, animation, fine art, graffiti, who knows.
