My love for maps started with my fascination over my childhood globe. I’d spin the world over and over and imagine all of the exotic places out there, distilled down to this small spherical representation.

In college for geoscience, I was introduced to GIS and quickly took to it. The combination of spatial data with technical programs and a flair of graphic design was an alluring intersection of science and art. I became obsessed, and started making maps for myself and for friends. After a GIS internship in Salt Lake City with a large construction company, I decided to go all-in: I started my business Apex Maps Co. in 2018, and by 2020, it was my full-time gig.

Apex Maps took me around the world and back again. I had the opportunity to practice custom cartography for a wide variety of clients: tour companies, guidebook authors, newlyweds, art collectors, and even for a university project about Navajo sacred peaks. I printed my maps as posters, and on all kinds of products, such as pillows, mugs, shirts, tote bags, and more.

My skills developed with new challenges. I dreamt up unique spatial art with open source elevation data, such as my TIN map collection of mountains in the West. I explored custom hillshading, color ramps, and layering to highlight the fantastic canyons of the Colorado Plateau. With every new project, my horizons expanded along with my portfolio.

Though I have since moved on to other pursuits and closed Apex Maps, cartography will always be a part of my life. Maps hold an important place in my heart.