Cartography is the formal name for the study and creation of maps.

Who decides what gets put on a map? Why are certain items or landmarks left out? And can you make a map out of any material? Cartographers - or people who study and create maps - are the ones in charge of answering those questions. They apply techniques of science, art and math to describe the physical characteristics of the environment around them, including bodies of water, mountains, roads and the earth. This helps them, and others, understand and navigate that environment.

Humans have been mapping the Earth (topographical maps), skies (astrological maps) and bodies of water (nautical maps) for a very long time. The oldest known surviving maps were created by the Babylonians (9th century BCE) on clay tablets, but it was during the ancient Greco-Roman period when mapmaking became sophisticated and innovative, closer to what we think of today.

Maps have been made in many different ways, using countless types of materials. One interesting example comes from the Marshall Islands, where its people created stick charts to navigate the Pacific Ocean. These were in use until the end of World War II, when travel by canoe between the islands became much less frequent. The charts, made of a variety of natural materials, contain various routes to many different islands. Each different material used acts as a placeholder for an important point or item along a journey. For example, seashells depict various island locations, straight sticks represent ocean currents, and curved sticks mark the locations of recurring ocean swells.

Artists like Johannes Vermeer, Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Durer also made maps, setting the stage as artist-cartographers by using more colour, different compositions and unique legends. Their maps were used by the nobility and influential patrons.

Johannes Vermeer was a 17th century Dutch painter who was fascinated with cartography. He created a small amount of carefully constructed paintings in a highly realistic style, and many of these works contained maps. This obsession was due in part to the popularity of cartography during the 17th century in the Netherlands. Often referred to as the Golden Age, during this time period the Netherlands produced the best ships in the world and exploration, commerce, and colonization went hand in hand with cartography.

Albrecht Durer, like Vermeer, would include maps or elements of cartography in his work. This tradition continues today with many contemporary visual artists creating provocative images that highlight and include notions of cartography.

Today, many contemporary artists use maps in their art practice, too. Canadian artist Landon Mackenzie has created abstract and painterly images that utilize maps and reference their iconic forms. Canadian artist Jason Mclean creates cartoon-like images with markers, that convey a playful sense of his many experiences. American artist Matthew Cusick uses maps and atlases to cut and collage into representational images of waves, figures and landscapes. British artist Simon Patterson created a lithograph using the London subway system with its many lines known as The Tube. He changes the names of each station to that of philosophers, nobility, actors, religious and political figures, artists and musicians. Each train line is categorized by one of the preceding groups. Check out the image carousel at the bottom of the page to view each of these contemporary artworks.

Exploration, colonialism and politics, among other events, continue to shape cartography today.

Review the summary ideas above and consider everything you want to include from the bulleted list. There may be other things you wish to include that aren't on the list - always include them if they're important to you.

Brainstorm what your map will look like by making a mind map and think about all the landmarks that you pass. Then, think of images you can cut from newspapers or magazines, or draw, to represent those landmarks. Where will you begin?

Begin with a quick thumbnail sketch of what your map could look like. A thumbnail sketch is a very small and rough drawing that acts as a diagram for your final work. It should be no bigger than a few inches by a few inches. While making your thumbnail sketch, think about where landmarks will be placed on your map. Think about your winding route, and consider how to make the most important landmarks stand out. Will you use bright colours, or make them larger than other landmarks? Once your sketch is complete, you have a simple image to refer to when making your final map.

Flip through your magazines to find images that can be cut out and used as your landmarks on your map. Remember that you might not find images that represent every stop along your route, so you may have to cut and combine a several to make one landmark. For instance, you may not find a photo of an art gallery, but you may find pictures of buildings, paintings or sculptures, and people. These can be collaged to represent your unique perspective of the art gallery. Alternatively, you can draw or paint the perfect image right on to your paper to represent each landmark.

On the large sheet of paper, lightly mark in pencil where all of your map parts will be situated. Carefully lay out your collaged images, and sketch in your drawn images, considering the placement of each.

Now begin to draw, paint and collage your map into existence, remembering to give careful consideration to each landmark: what makes each stand out, and what makes each worthy of inclusion on the map?

Think about spatial configurations of your images as you work. Will you adhere to the traditional foreground, middle ground and background layout of a picture plane, or will you reconfigure your map in a different way?

Next, think about how you will represent yourself in relation to your surroundings. Our identities exist in relation to the spaces we inhabit. Draw, collage or paint yourself near your favourite part of the map, interacting with the landmarks, environment or architecture.

Finally, add the compass in one corner of the map to give a sense of direction for all who might look at your creation.

You’re all finished!

Post your creative cartography creations on Twitter, hashtag them with #MacLarenWedge and mention us @MacLarenArt so we can retweet all your creative work! Search for maps that other W-Edge participants have made and look for your creations on our Twitter feed on this page.