Cartographic modeling

MyCOE / SERVIR workshop

25-2-2013

What is a (good) map?

• Or, what should a map do?

– Communicate

– Engage

– Report

– What else?

Fundamentals

• Elements that are found on virtually all maps:

– Distance or scale

– Direction

– Legend

– [Sources of information and how processed]

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

Fundamentals

• Elements that are sensitive to context:

– Title

– Projection

– Cartographer

– Date of production

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

Fundamentals

• Elements that are used selectively to assist effective communication:

– Neatlines

– Locator maps

– Inset maps

– Index maps

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

Guiding questions:

• What is the motive, intent, or goal of the map?

Guiding questions:

• Who will use it, and where will they access it?

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/07/02/crisis-mapping-haiti/uhp2/

Guiding questions:

• Who will use it, and where will they access it?

http://poleshift.ning.com

The role of projection

www.coolest-gadgets.com

The role of projection

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/the-true-size-of-africa-continued-the-mercator-wars.html

Map communication: What’s the message?

Context

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

Representation I

http://colorbrewer2.org/

Representation II

http://colorbrewer2.org/

Representation III

http://colorbrewer2.org/

ColorBrewer: http://colorbrewer2.org/

Adobe Kuler: https://kuler.adobe.com/

Some guidelines from a trusted source

• Lettering – All type should be from common type families

(examples: Helvetica, Arial, Times New Roman, etc.).

– Type must be sufficiently large to be easily read at final print size; no type smaller than 6 point.

– Type placed on screen tints or area patterns must be clearly readable. White type can be used over dark screen tints, and area patterns can be lightened to prevent interference with type.

– The International System of Units (metric) should be used; other units may be noted in parentheses

http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/raag-graphics-guidelines.pdf

Some guidelines from a trusted source

• Screen tints and patterns

– Screen tints and area pattern fills should reflect the importance of graphic elements through visual hierarchy (i.e., more important elements appear more prominently than less important elements).

– Typically, graphics should not have more than 6 tints.

– Graphic files should be submitted at 600 dpi.

http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/raag-graphics-guidelines.pdf

More resources

• http://colorbrewer2.org/

• http://cartographicperspectives.org/index.php/journal

• http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

• http://www.cartography2.org/

• http://cartastrophe.wordpress.com/