[New Design] Map Data

[lucy-dwr]

Effort Summary:

I'm proposing a new task flow for mapping data. I think this is distinct from exploring data. The "Explore Data" task flow is oriented around tabular data exploration and visualization. A "Map Data" task flow would have different primitives, data pipelines, and performance constraints.

Unique considerations:

• Data model: should be able to handle vector geometries (points, lines, polygons), rasters, CRS metadata, bounding boxes, spatial indexes, and attribute tables
• Backend: must be able to perform spatial queries (intersects, contains, within), tile generation, simplification, and caching
• User interface: should have a map viewport, layers with selection, scale, legend, feature selection, and spatial filters
• Performance: may need tiling, dynamic levels of detail/resolution, server-side aggregation, and generalized geometry

Potential task flow:

• Discovery: search and filter datasets by spatial extent and metadata
• Preview: preview datasets with bounding boxes and layer summaries
• Exploration: explore data with interactive layers, spatial filters, clustering, and attribute inspection
• Comparison: generate side-by-side comparisons, perhaps with an opacity slider or similar for layers
• Export: download data subset or full dataset

Backend capabilities likely required:

• Spatial database support (e.g., PostGIS)
• Spatial schema ingestion and validation (e.g., GeoJSON)
• Tile endpoints (vector and raster tiles)
• Spatial filtering endpoints (e.g., bounding box, irregular polygon, distance)
• Simplification/generalization for rendering

Desired UI components:

• Map container/viewport with layer manager
• Feature/attribute inspector panel
• Spatial filter tools (draw bounding box or irregular polygon)
• Legends, scale, and coordinates readout
• Query-by-location (search bar, click-on-map to filter)

🙌 Options to contribute: 🙌

• Idea only: Share your thoughts or feature ideas to improve UX for this flow
• Image contribution: Share examples of existing patterns, features, UIs as images, or website links for reference
• Generate image: Use (AI) tools to generate images illustrating this task flow in whole or specific parts/ features
• Create mockups: Contribute to design file by creating wireframes/ mockups for whole or part of this task flow

👇 After completing the effort:👇

Add following in a new comment while closing the issue, if appropriate

Summary of effort

[Summary of the motivation and user needs and your effort for this task flow/variation/feature]

(Optional) Details:

• Specific motivation and user needs: [Details]
• Key features: [List of features with purpose]
• Task flow steps: [Flow description of different steps to complete the task]
• Considerations: [Specific scenarios or considerations]

(Optional) Images:

• [Image 1 Description] - [Purpose and key features]
• [Image 2 Description] - [Purpose and key features]

[while designing a task flow, consider limiting the distinct screens to max of 10 screens, or break it down into multiple smaller task flows]

(Optional) Design File Link:
[Link to your Figma page or other design tool page]