1. FROM CONCEPT TO PRODUCTION
E A R T H
FROM CONCEPT TO PRODUCTION
THE CHALLENGES OF PRODUCING THE WORLD’S LARGEST ATLAS
Presented by Damien Demaj
BAppSc Geomatics (Cartography/GIS) RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Chief Cartographer on Earth

2. Creating a new benchmark in cartographic publishing Limited edition of 3,000 copies
Produced in two collections: Royal Blue & Imperial Gold
Individually number with signed COA
Earth ‘Royal Blue’ RRP: USD$4,800
Single page: 18 x 24” (610 x 469mm) 576 pages
Leather bound cover & wooden case, weighing 75lb (34kg).
Over 400,000 words over 750 photographs and illustrations
150 pages of maps, 4 x 6ft (1.8m) wide gatefolds
Over 100 cartographers, geographers, designers and editors
E A R T H
ATLAS OVERVIEW

3. To produce the largest atlas in publishing history The finished product must be without equal.
An ambition and dream for over 20 years
Showcase our planet like never seen before
Produce the most detailed atlas mapping ever seen.
Concept to Production to Print = 18 months
An exclusive limited edition atlas, plates to be destroyed at end of print run.
Target audience: map enthusiasts, collectors, arm chair travelers, libraries, universities & large corporate businesses
Those who demand luxury!
E A R T H
OBJECTIVE OF EARTH

4. E A R T H We all knew this would be an enormous cartographic challenge
Sourcing Cartographers (over 60 international cartographers)
Royalty and copyright free data that was up-to-date. A bold move!
Sourcing sufficient data that was detailed enough was very difficult.
Cartographic documentation: Map style sheet, map brief and index brief
Map coverage, projections and scales (1 million to 10.5 million)
Monitor the consistency, style and detail across the maps.
E A R T H
CARTOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES

5. Choosing the correct cartographers was a very important step in the map production process
Does the cartographer have the ability to:
1. Supply copyright, royalty free & up-to-date data GIS data?
2. Provide detailed enough data in a seamless database?
3. Generate sufficient positional accuracy and line quality?
3. What type of GIS was the data stored in?
4. How and when was the data captured, what method of data capture was used, when was the data last updated?
5. Has the data been topologically checked?
6. Will the data be easily modified to meet our symbol and line map categories?
7. Compile a complete list of all named features on the map?
E A R T H
THE SELECTION PROCESS: PART 1

6. E A R T H Assessing the cartographic skills of the supplier
Does the cartographer have the ability to:
1. Follow the map style sheet & map brief thoroughly?
2. Display previous work that shows professional cartographic presentation qualities?
3. Meet our budget?
E A R T H
THE SELECTION PROCESS: PART 2

7. E A R T H Finally, map production begins
1. Cartographer provides geo-referenced land polygons to relief shading team.
2. The relief shading team generates relief for map.
3. Cartographer supplies 1st draft of map.
4. Millennium House performs ‘initial check’ & sends feedback to cartographer.
5. Cartographer provides 1st official proof of map.
6. Millennium House meticulously checks & edits maps. Sends corrections to cartographer.
7. Repeat step 6 until map is approved.
8. Send files to re-production house in Singapore
9. Print and hand bind atlas in Hong Kong
E A R T H
MAP PRODUCTION

8. E A R T H Editing the maps was a lengthy and painstaking process
All maps thoroughly checked for content accuracy and consistency.
Styles and classification of all map features checked
Consistency between maps
Standard geographical abbreviations had been
used (as per the style guidelines)
Primary place name source: U.S. Board of
Geographic Names & consultants.
‘Hot Spots’, how do we show them?
Primary line work source: Various large scaled hard copy maps, road atlases & satellite imagery.
E A R T H
MAP CHECKING

9. E A R T H The gazetteer is the cornerstone of any great atlas
A compilation of 75 individual files
Index brief
Up-to 9 properties for each gazetteer entry
Checking accuracy of indexes using Visual Basic and Apple script.
Removing duplicates, automated and manually
Manually checking through thousands and thousands of index entries
Foreign characters – sorting the gazetteer
E A R T H
GAZETTEER

10. E A R T H Unquestionably an exquisite atlas
Earth may well be the last world atlas of this grandeur to be ever published.
Difficult challenges help set a new benchmark in publishing.
What is the future of traditional atlases?
Where to from here for Earth & Millennium House?
An enormous honour and personal achievement!
“The quality of Earth and its publication,
as well as its sheer size, renders any
comparisons meaningless.
There is simply nothing else to compare Earth to.”
Ward Woodke, owner of Earth #125
E A R T H
CONCLUSION

11. E A R T H For further information… Damien Demaj
Cartographic Consultant
Gordon Cheers
Managing Director
E A R T H
CONTACTS