Topographic Map Design Topographic Map Design and Layoutand Layout

Presented by:Presented by:Khlaraj Chouhan (15)Khlaraj Chouhan (15)

Keshebnath Kattel (3)Keshebnath Kattel (3)Kailashnath Pandey (1)Kailashnath Pandey (1)

Roshani Sharma (2)Roshani Sharma (2)

Presentation OutlinesPresentation Outlines Definition of topographic maps.Definition of topographic maps. Contents of topographic maps.Contents of topographic maps. Design ProcessDesign Process Map LayoutMap Layout

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What is a topographic map?What is a topographic map? Topographic mapsTopographic maps are detailed, accurate are detailed, accurate

graphic representations of features that graphic representations of features that appear on the Earth's surface. These appear on the Earth's surface. These features include: cultural: roads, buildings, features include: cultural: roads, buildings, urban development, railways, airports, urban development, railways, airports, names of places and geographic features, names of places and geographic features, administrative boundaries, state and administrative boundaries, state and international borders, national parks and international borders, national parks and reserves etc.reserves etc.

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Contents of Topographic MapsContents of Topographic Maps• Topographic maps contain information Topographic maps contain information

about about the elevation and the slope of the land. the elevation and the slope of the land. Land use, Land cover, hydrographic Land use, Land cover, hydrographic

featuresfeatures Man made and cultural features (roads, Man made and cultural features (roads,

buildings, cemeteriesbuildings, cemeteries

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Other Topographic TermsOther Topographic Terms Map scale – compares distances on Map scale – compares distances on

the map with distances on earth.the map with distances on earth. Legend – explains symbols used on Legend – explains symbols used on

the map.the map. Index contours – contour lines that Index contours – contour lines that

are labeled to help you find the are labeled to help you find the contour interval.contour interval.

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What do the colors on the topographic What do the colors on the topographic map represent?map represent?

General Thumb Rules:General Thumb Rules:• Blue lines/shapes - represent water Blue lines/shapes - represent water

features, such as streams and lakes.features, such as streams and lakes.• Brown – contour linesBrown – contour lines• Black – special buildings, railroads, other Black – special buildings, railroads, other

man made objects.man made objects.• Green – Woodland areasGreen – Woodland areas• Red – Transportation layer, BuildingsRed – Transportation layer, Buildings• Yellow – cultivated landYellow – cultivated land

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Now that I know what a topographic Now that I know what a topographic map is, how do I read it?map is, how do I read it?

First determine the contour interval First determine the contour interval (the distance between each contour (the distance between each contour line)line)

Then determine the map scale Then determine the map scale (usually at the bottom of the map)(usually at the bottom of the map)

Identify any hills or depressionsIdentify any hills or depressions Use the legend to identify man made Use the legend to identify man made

features.features.05/01/2305/01/23 1010

CARTOGRAPHIC DESIGNCARTOGRAPHIC DESIGN Cartographic design involves Cartographic design involves

• Conceptualization of the mapConceptualization of the map• Visualization of the mapVisualization of the map• Construction of the mapConstruction of the map is an “art” to good map designis an “art” to good map design Is a partly mental, partly Is a partly mental, partly

physical process in which maps physical process in which maps are conceived (Imagine) and are conceived (Imagine) and created.created.

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Mapmakers need to understand…Mapmakers need to understand… The objective of the map (the message)The objective of the map (the message) The people who may use the map (the The people who may use the map (the

audience)audience) The data that will be displayed in the map The data that will be displayed in the map

(the information available)(the information available) graphics displaying (software or manual) graphics displaying (software or manual) The final format of the product (printed or The final format of the product (printed or

digital)digital)

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The medium is the informationThe medium is the information

PaperPaper (b/w or colour) (CMYK) (b/w or colour) (CMYK) FilmFilm MylarMylar Monitor (RGB)Monitor (RGB) ProjectionProjection Broadcast TVBroadcast TV

THE DISPLAY IS PART OF THE THE DISPLAY IS PART OF THE SYMBOLIZATIONSYMBOLIZATION

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Design ProcessDesign Process Involves a series of operations.Involves a series of operations. It is convenient to break this It is convenient to break this

sequence into three stages: First sequence into three stages: First stage, Second stage and Third stage.stage, Second stage and Third stage.

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First StageFirst Stage

Several acceptable solutions are possible for Several acceptable solutions are possible for graphic visualization and symbolization.graphic visualization and symbolization.

The best result is a general design planThe best result is a general design plan ““Good design is simply the best solution Good design is simply the best solution

among many, given a set of constraints among many, given a set of constraints imposed by the problem” (Dent 1999)imposed by the problem” (Dent 1999)

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Second StageSecond Stage Develop specific graphic planDevelop specific graphic plan analyzing various alternatives and choose analyzing various alternatives and choose

the best one. the best one. Decide on kinds of symbolism, number of Decide on kinds of symbolism, number of

classes and class limits, color use, classes and class limits, color use, typographical relationships etc.typographical relationships etc.

You have made all but minor decisions in You have made all but minor decisions in this stage.this stage.

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Third StageThird Stage Preparation of detail specifications for map Preparation of detail specifications for map

construction (automated or manual) construction (automated or manual) • About symbols, line weights, colors, lettering About symbols, line weights, colors, lettering

sizes etc.sizes etc. Specifications: all the processes involved Specifications: all the processes involved

in map construction.in map construction.

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Design PrinciplesDesign Principles

1.1. LegibilityLegibility2.2. Visual ContrastVisual Contrast3.3. Figure-groundFigure-ground4.4. Hierarchical structureHierarchical structure5.5. BalanceBalance

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LegibilityLegibility easy to read and understand. (symbols) easy to read and understand. (symbols) Clearly visible. (Size, color, line weight)Clearly visible. (Size, color, line weight) Identify them clearly.Identify them clearly. Not be confusing. (symbol, line, shape)Not be confusing. (symbol, line, shape) clearly distinguishable. (used size, colors, clearly distinguishable. (used size, colors,

patterns to differentiate)patterns to differentiate) Not, too small or too big. (Symbols)Not, too small or too big. (Symbols) contrasting colors and shapescontrasting colors and shapes

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Inappropriate Contrast Appropriate Contrast

Visual ContrastVisual Contrast

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Example of good Example of good line contrast line contrast

Example of poor line contrast

Visual ContrastVisual Contrast

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Visual ContrastVisual ContrastLine weight Pattern Shading Hue

HUE

INTENSITYINTENSITY

SATURATION

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Figure-Ground OrganizationFigure-Ground Organization Separation figure and map background Separation figure and map background

clearly.clearly. It is natural and fundamental characteristics It is natural and fundamental characteristics

of graphic map design.of graphic map design. Differentiation (shape, size, color) Closed forms Familiarity Lightness Detail Size (small and big size of area feature)

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Figure ‘floating’ Figure ‘floating’ on top on Groundon top on Ground

Superimposition Superimposition draws attention to draws attention to

FigureFigure

Figure-Ground OrganizationFigure-Ground Organization

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Lack of contrast resulting Lack of contrast resulting in poor figure-ground in poor figure-ground

perceptionperception

Better contrast resulting in good figure-ground

perception

Figure-Ground OrganizationFigure-Ground Organization

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Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy)Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy) “separate meaningful characteristics and to

portray likenesses, differences, and interrelationships” (Robinson, 1995).

ContrastContrast• Line character and weightLine character and weight• TextureTexture• ValueValue• DetailDetail• ColorColor• TextText

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Name Placement and AttributesName Placement and Attributes

Need to consider the most effective Need to consider the most effective way of positioning type on a map way of positioning type on a map • Labeling Point SymbolsLabeling Point Symbols• Labeling Linear FeaturesLabeling Linear Features• Labeling AreasLabeling Areas• Title and Legend textTitle and Legend text• Other informationOther information

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BalanceBalance

Text: Selection and PlacementText: Selection and Placement

Dhulikhel

BM 232

UK M

arga

200

L ak e

M u d

POINT LINE AREAC

A

NV

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Map layoutMap layout for presentation maps, some conventions on for presentation maps, some conventions on

what to include:what to include:• a title (or caption). clearly state what the map a title (or caption). clearly state what the map

shows. plus relevant date of data, sources, shows. plus relevant date of data, sources, author, contact info, etc.author, contact info, etc.

• a legend, so any reader can interpret the content a legend, so any reader can interpret the content of the map. meaning of all symbol and colours of the map. meaning of all symbol and colours

• scale indication. translates distance on the map scale indication. translates distance on the map to distance on the groundto distance on the ground

• orientation indication (the good old north arrow)orientation indication (the good old north arrow)• borders and neat lines, grid and graticule valueborders and neat lines, grid and graticule value

these conventions are truly follow or broken!these conventions are truly follow or broken!05/01/2305/01/23 2929

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Basic Map ElementsBasic Map Elements

The Development regions of Nepal

Scale 1: 500, 000

Modified Universal Transverse Mercator ProjectionThis map is produced in 1995 by Survey Department, Nepal

0 41 2 3hundreds ofkilometers

Legend

Map Scale Graphical Scale

Inset

Map Projection

Neat line Border Title

Central Development region.

Map Index A B

Map Scale Representative Fraction

Map Body

North Arrow

Bibliographic information

Optical Center vs. Geometric CenterOptical Center vs. Geometric Center

Optical Center

Geometric Center

Balance and centreBalance and centre

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BalanceBalance

Poorly Balanced

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BalanceBalance

Well Balanced

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Map Design PrinciplesMap Design Principles

Understanding of user requirements

Consideration of display format

A clear visual hierarchy

Simplicity3434

German designer, Dieter Rams05/01/2305/01/23

Legibility

Consistency

Accessibility

Good composition

3535German designer, Dieter Rams

Map Design PrinciplesMap Design Principles

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What is the goal of the map? (Purpose)What is the goal of the map? (Purpose) Who will read the map? (Audience)Who will read the map? (Audience) Where will the map be used? Where will the map be used? (Condition of use) (Condition of use) What data is available for the composition of What data is available for the composition of

the map? (Available Data)the map? (Available Data) What resources are available in terms of What resources are available in terms of

both time and equipment?both time and equipment? What is the scale of map? (level of detail)What is the scale of map? (level of detail) What is the shape and size of area? ( Ground What is the shape and size of area? ( Ground

Reality)Reality)

Factors Influencing Map DesignFactors Influencing Map Design

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Any Questions…?Any Questions…?

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Thank you !!!Thank you !!!

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