Designing for discovery: using web maps in the digital humanities

Web map interfaces such as OpenStreetMap or Google Maps share a set of visual and interactive features that are widely used for navigation and discovering information. Associated software components such as Leaflet or Google Maps Embed API have become the de facto standard for geographical visualisation in the digital humanities. This article examines how the needs of humanities researchers can inform the design of these web map components’ features. Visual analysis and discovery use cases for web maps are introduced based on the TaDiRAH taxonomy of digital research activities. Visual analysis offers researchers opportunities to gain geographical insights from patterns in humanities data. Yet visual features of web map components such as the Web Mercator projection and background mapping tiles are only appropriate for the analysis of certain regions and scales. A discovery use case is introduced with the aim of using the map to access research objects. The article argues that visual features such as vector representations and popups can be designed to guide the user towards accessing rich content beyond the map. This use case aligns with researchers’ experience of using web map components elsewhere and projects that wish to encourage usage of research objects. Web map components have expedited the process of creating visualisations. Yet their convenience has led to a lack of spatial literacy and critical reflection. The article argues that historical and wider usage should be considered when appropriating any form of visualisation. Examining the research process helps the design of visualisations to support use cases, guiding users in addressing the open-ended and complex questions of the humanities.