Makin’ MapsMakin’ Maps

Map DesignMap Design Design is a process, a sequential ordering of Design is a process, a sequential ordering of

eventsevents Maps designed to communicate ideasMaps designed to communicate ideas Efficient and effective map design will facilitate Efficient and effective map design will facilitate

the transfer of knowledge between map author and the transfer of knowledge between map author and percipientpercipient

Props to Dr. Gant (Indiana), Dr. Clark (Arizona)Props to Dr. Gant (Indiana), Dr. Clark (Arizona)

Cartographic DesignCartographic Design Map designMap design - - artart of cartography of cartography

ability to arrange maps elements so that map is:ability to arrange maps elements so that map is: interesting to look atinteresting to look at effective in communicating informationeffective in communicating information

What Makes a Good Map?What Makes a Good Map?

How well does map communicate to your audience?How well does map communicate to your audience? What is the motive, intent, or goal of the map? What is the motive, intent, or goal of the map? Who will read the map? Who will read the map? Where will the map be used? Where will the map be used? What data is available for the composition of the What data is available for the composition of the

map?map? What resources are available in terms of both time What resources are available in terms of both time

and equipment?and equipment?

Deciding on a map Deciding on a map type…type…

Map Types: Point DataMap Types: Point Data

DotDot Picture SymbolPicture Symbol Graduated SymbolGraduated Symbol TopographicTopographic

Map Types: Line DataMap Types: Line Data

NetworkNetwork FlowFlow

Map Types: Area DataMap Types: Area Data

ChoroplethChoropleth Area qualitativeArea qualitative Stepped surfaceStepped surface Isoline / IsoplethIsoline / Isopleth

Map Types: Volume DataMap Types: Volume Data

[Isopleth, Stepped Surface][Isopleth, Stepped Surface] Realistic perspectiveRealistic perspective Hill-shadedHill-shaded

Image mapImage map

Choosing TypesChoosing Types

Check the dataCheck the data ContinuousContinuous DiscreteDiscrete Accuracy & PrecisionAccuracy & Precision ReliabilityReliability

Dimension (Point, Line, Area, Volume)Dimension (Point, Line, Area, Volume) Scale of Measurement (Nominal etc.)Scale of Measurement (Nominal etc.) Classification (equal interval, quintiles, etc)Classification (equal interval, quintiles, etc)

Basic Elements of Map Basic Elements of Map CompositionComposition

Basic Elements of Map Basic Elements of Map CompositionComposition

Basic map elements: Information commonly Basic map elements: Information commonly needed by the map reader needed by the map reader title, scale, legend, body of the map, north arrow, title, scale, legend, body of the map, north arrow,

cartographer, neatline, date of production, cartographer, neatline, date of production, projection used, and information about sourcesprojection used, and information about sources

Neatline

Base map

Projection NorthArrow

Source

Scale

Legend

Title &Subtitle

Map Authorand Date

ThematicOverlay

Elements (that should be) found on Elements (that should be) found on everyevery map map

Distance or ScaleDistance or Scale DirectionDirection LegendLegend Sources of information Sources of information When processedWhen processed

Does a North arrow make sense on this map?Does a North arrow make sense on this map?

Directional Indicator -Directional Indicator - North ArrowNorth Arrow include when an unusual orientation used (west up)include when an unusual orientation used (west up) include when direction not obviousinclude when direction not obvious typically used on large scale maps where direction typically used on large scale maps where direction

applicable everywhereapplicable everywhere use graticule on smaller scale maps instead of North use graticule on smaller scale maps instead of North

arrowarrow

Elements that enhance effective Elements that enhance effective communicationcommunication

NeatlinesNeatlines Locator maps Locator maps Inset mapsInset maps

Use of a Use of a Location Location

MapMap

So…. Those are the elements but So…. Those are the elements but how should we arrange them?how should we arrange them?

The ART of Cartography…..The ART of Cartography…..

The Need for DesignThe Need for Design

To appear professional and avoid errors, To appear professional and avoid errors, maps should reflect cartographic knowledge maps should reflect cartographic knowledge about map design.about map design.

A map has a visual grammar or structure A map has a visual grammar or structure that must be understood and used if the best that must be understood and used if the best map design is desired.map design is desired.

Cartographic convention (e.g. forests Cartographic convention (e.g. forests should be green).should be green).

External Controls affecting Map DesignExternal Controls affecting Map Design

1.1. Purpose of mapPurpose of map – client will dictate, influences – client will dictate, influences what you will show and howwhat you will show and how

2.2. Topic of mapTopic of map – influences choice of base map, – influences choice of base map, scalescale

3. Page layout/size3. Page layout/size – influences scale, level of detail – influences scale, level of detail you can showyou can show

Other factors you can think of…?Other factors you can think of…?

The Design ProcessThe Design Process CreativityCreativity VisualizationVisualization

incorporating visual images into thoughtincorporating visual images into thought must be able to must be able to visualizevisualize alternate solutions alternate solutions

ExperimentationExperimentation explore alternate solutionsexplore alternate solutions good design may require many iterationsgood design may require many iterations

AestheticsAesthetics harmony, composition, clarityharmony, composition, clarity

Cartographic research tells us that the Cartographic research tells us that the most most important elements of a mapimportant elements of a map are: are: BaseBase SymbolizationSymbolization TitleTitle LegendLegend

Base / symbols are “meat” of the mapBase / symbols are “meat” of the map BaseBase – locational framework – locational framework SymbolsSymbols – subject matter – subject matter

Need to design map so that these elements Need to design map so that these elements dominate the map layout/designdominate the map layout/design

Visual Ordering of Map ElementsVisual Ordering of Map Elements

Success of map depends on effective Success of map depends on effective visual visual orderingordering of map elements of map elements

2 forms of visual ordering:2 forms of visual ordering: Planar organizationPlanar organization – concerns the way we – concerns the way we

arrange elements on a pagearrange elements on a page Visual balanceVisual balance Focus of attentionFocus of attention

Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy) Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy) - - the manner in which importance of elements is the manner in which importance of elements is emphasizedemphasized

Figure-ground organizationFigure-ground organization ContrastContrast

Planar OrganizationPlanar Organization

Visual BalanceVisual Balance Sizing of elements relative to one anotherSizing of elements relative to one another Division of spaceDivision of space Relative positions of elements should appear Relative positions of elements should appear

logicallogical

Focus of Attention Focus of Attention Optical center vs. geometric centerOptical center vs. geometric center Natural eye movement across a pageNatural eye movement across a page

Optical Center vs. Geometric CenterOptical Center vs. Geometric Center

Optical Center

Geometric Center

Natural eye movement across a pageNatural eye movement across a page

Focus

Field

Fringe

Hierarchical organization Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy)(visual hierarchy)

Figure-Ground organizationFigure-Ground organization ContrastContrast

Line character and weightLine character and weight TextureTexture ValueValue DetailDetail ColorColor

Figure-Ground OrganizationFigure-Ground Organization

FigureFigure Object of attention, standing out from the backgroundObject of attention, standing out from the background

GroundGround Formless background spaceFormless background space

Ways of establishing strong figure-ground relationshipsWays of establishing strong figure-ground relationships Value contrastValue contrast Textural contrastTextural contrast Pattern orientationPattern orientation Strong edgesStrong edges LocationLocation Floating figure above other elementsFloating figure above other elements Superimposition of textSuperimposition of text

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 Figure-Ground Value ContrastValue Contrast

Figure-GroundFigure-GroundTextural VariationTextural Variation

Centrally located features Centrally located features more easily seenmore easily seen

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

Superimposition Superimposition draws attention to draws attention to

FigureFigure

ContrastContrast

Fundamental in developing strong Figure-Fundamental in developing strong Figure-Ground relationshipsGround relationships

Design principlesDesign principles Vary line widthsVary line widths Vary line characterVary line character Vary value (color or saturation)Vary value (color or saturation) Vary texture/patternVary texture/pattern

Symbol “weight”Symbol “weight”

Line weight Pattern Shading Hue

Example of good Example of good line contrast line contrast

Example of poor line contrast

Dimensions of ColorDimensions of Color

HUE

SATURATION

INTENSITY

Making the symbols and lettering…Making the symbols and lettering…

A word about A word about Scale and GeneralizationScale and Generalization

Smaller scale means fewer features.Smaller scale means fewer features. Smaller scale means smoother features.Smaller scale means smoother features. Smaller scale means combining features.Smaller scale means combining features. Smaller scale means displacing features.Smaller scale means displacing features.

Using Using symbols…symbols…

Type Placement and AttributesType Placement and Attributes

Need to consider the most effective way of Need to consider the most effective way of positioning type on a map 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

Labeling Point SymbolsLabeling Point Symbols

Some guidelinesSome guidelines Name of ports and harbor towns placed seawardName of ports and harbor towns placed seaward Names of towns should be on side of a river Names of towns should be on side of a river

where the town is locatedwhere the town is located Do not overlap the coastlines or rivers with namesDo not overlap the coastlines or rivers with names

Labeling Linear FeaturesLabeling Linear Features

Roads, rivers, streams, highways, Roads, rivers, streams, highways, railroads…railroads…

Labels should be set as often as necessary Labels should be set as often as necessary along a feature to facilitate identificationalong a feature to facilitate identification

Ideally, Ideally, aboveabove a horizontal stretch a horizontal stretch but, not but, not always possiblealways possible

For For rivers, italics preferredrivers, italics preferred Keep text off of featureKeep text off of feature

Labeling AreasLabeling Areas

Oceans, bays, large lakes, countries, states, Oceans, bays, large lakes, countries, states, counties…counties…

Show extent of the feature by letterspacing Show extent of the feature by letterspacing labellabel

Text: Selection and PlacementText: Selection and Placement

New York

BM 232

US Route

66

200

L a

ke

M u d

POINT LINE AREAFigure 7.2 Some cartographic label placement conventions. Points: right and above preferred with no overlap.Lines: Following the direction of the line, curved if a river. Text should read up on the left of the map anddown on the right. Areas: On a gently curved line following the shape of the figure and upright.

CA

NV

Text placementText placement

Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

L a g o o n

Path right

Path Down

Title and Legend TextTitle and Legend Text

TitleTitle generally the most important text on generally the most important text on map – largest type sizemap – largest type size

Subtitle Subtitle – smaller type size– smaller type size Can use Can use title boxestitle boxes to overlap other map to overlap other map

featuresfeatures Wording of titlesWording of titles also very important also very important

Notice:

Water Features in italics

Position of text around points

Figure/groundrelationships

TypographyTypography Functions of letteringFunctions of lettering

General reference mapsGeneral reference maps Names placesNames places Labels featuresLabels features

Thematic mapsThematic maps Names placesNames places Labels featuresLabels features Used for titles, legends, etc.Used for titles, legends, etc.

Characteristics of letteringCharacteristics of lettering Typeface Typeface – letters, numbers, special characters of one – letters, numbers, special characters of one

specific design (Ex: Times New Roman)specific design (Ex: Times New Roman) Fonts Fonts – full set of characters of one size of a typeface (Ex: – full set of characters of one size of a typeface (Ex:

Times New Roman 10 point)Times New Roman 10 point) PlacementPlacement SpacingSpacing

Main Concerns in Selecting TypeMain Concerns in Selecting Type Legibility and DiscernibilityLegibility and Discernibility HarmonyHarmony Traditionally, best to limit number of typefaces Traditionally, best to limit number of typefaces

used on a map to 1 or 2used on a map to 1 or 2 Reduced complexityReduced complexity Cleaner looking mapCleaner looking map Choice of typeface should have meaning if using more Choice of typeface should have meaning if using more

than 1than 1 Best on simpler maps to use 1 typeface, vary the Best on simpler maps to use 1 typeface, vary the

form (size, style) to provide contrast between form (size, style) to provide contrast between featuresfeatures

Style/formStyle/formPlainPlain cultural featurescultural featuresItalicItalic water, natural featureswater, natural features

BoldBold emphasisemphasisSizeSizeCaps – Caps – label larger features (countries, oceans, label larger features (countries, oceans,

large cities)large cities)Upper&lower case – Upper&lower case – for smaller, less dominant for smaller, less dominant

featuresfeatures

Qualitativedifferences

Quantitativedifferences

Size of TypeSize of Type What does 12 point font mean?What does 12 point font mean? Point systemPoint system used to determine height of type used to determine height of type Archaic system of measurement from early days of Archaic system of measurement from early days of

printing (using metal block type)printing (using metal block type) Measured from top of highest ascender in font to Measured from top of highest ascender in font to

bottom of lowest descenderbottom of lowest descender In metal block terms : In metal block terms : 1 point = .014”1 point = .014”

72 points = 1” tall type72 points = 1” tall type so…6 pt. = .084”so…6 pt. = .084”

For a page size map, a lower limit of 6 points For a page size map, a lower limit of 6 points fairly safe – still discerniblefairly safe – still discernible

1) Consult this powerpoint off webpage1) Consult this powerpoint off webpage 2) Really think about the design2) Really think about the design 3) Look at examples from last year’s class, 3) Look at examples from last year’s class,

but…but… Your map should be waaay more kick ass than Your map should be waaay more kick ass than

theirstheirs

So, when you make your map…So, when you make your map…