Summary on symbol design Symbols – use of design variables: Association Convention Qualitative or quantitative data Levels of contrast visual hierarchy and figure-ground Other – purpose, medium, cost, political sensitivities

Visual Hierarchy Map's purpose determines which visual aspects of the map should be most important. Important elements should be most visually prominent and highest in the visual hierarchy. Base information supports the main message and should be lowest in the visual hierarchy. Scale: country Emphasis: vegetation distribution Scale: forest type Emphasis: parks

Figure-Ground Provide focus by separating a foreground image from a less distinct background (i.e. feathering edges, centrality, closed form…)

Reversible figure ground

Good design: well chosen colours and symbols, good contrast and ‘figure-ground’

Map Lettering ‘labelling’ - placing descriptive text onto or next to features on a map http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?id=271&pid=266&topicname=About_labeling

Lettering General  rule:   Lettering is an extension of the symbol itself, and should be 'automatically' attached to it in the mind of the map user, both in design and positioning: 'good lettering' is barely noticed

1. Visual Design Variables: a. Font (= Shape or 'style‘) : classic / serif (e.g. Times) sans serif (e.g. Geneva) decorative (e.g. Joker)   Choice is mostly based on preference .. … except for some nominal association: e.g. historical oldies                          

General Principles of Lettering fonts Choice of individual fonts Legibility:     good distinction between letters in the alphabet Visibility:      good contrast between lettering and background Aesthetics:    avoid unappealing letter proportions and faces Don’t use Courier (typewriter) !!

b. Form: italic or upright Italics are reserved for hydrographic features (rivers, lakes, etc.) Underlining is not generally used

c. bold or plain e.g. Vanderhoof Vanderhoof Bold implies more importance, but is rarely used alone another form is wide / condensed (little used in mapping) Rockwell Rockwell Condensed

d. Form: UPPER or Lower case Note: UPPER CASE implies major features PRINCE GEORGE Prince George Use UPPER case sparingly; it is (13%) less readable than lower case due to the information provided by 'ascenders' and 'descenders'

Choice of combinations of fonts and form Consistency: lettering within a class should be the same (e.g. all major rivers) Contrast:       should be higher between major classes than within a class type Harmony:     avoid many type faces; use forms instead

Colour (hue) : nominal / qualitative .. is used associatively Blue: hydrography Brown: contours Black: standard Red: important

Quantitative Variables : size Size :  size denotes importance It is most commonly measured in 'points'     72points  =~ 1” minimum size = 6 points Larger size text is associated with larger or more important features. Large lettering should not be overpowering

Quantitative Visual Design Variables b. Tone / chroma (colour): screened lettering for background features (low saturation or gray)

Summary of design variables for labeling Font – legible, visible, aesthetically pleasing Form – italic, bold, CASE Colour – blue water, brown contour lines Size – 18 point, 24 point Tone/chroma – grey - black, baby blue – dark blue

2. General rules of Positioning Positioning is an extra visual variable that symbols don't have:        … it represents a great challenge in computer mapping – as it has no definite fixed position A> Minimize ambiguity as to what the name refers to B> Choose minimum interference with other map elements: lettering is movable (symbols are not)

2. General rules of Positioning C> Horizontal lettering where possible, except: …if there is no space available (points) or Feature is not horizontal (areas/lines) Lettering should not be beyond the vertical … the only exception is  Contour lines, where the lettering tops can 'point uphill' to show terrain form

Point symbols There are 8 possible positions for names. Top right is best overall but try to be consistent

Line symbols A> Follow the orientation of the line (river, road, etc.) B> Find a relatively straight piece to label C> Label above the line, far enough away so descenders don't cross it Examples from Eduard Imhof

Area symbols A> Lettering totally inside the area .                        B> If too small, label as if a point Name should fit inside with minimum 1.5 letter width on either side C> Orient lettering to fit area shape, curve as needed D> Space lettering if area is large, but not > 4 x letter height, and evenly   Serifs are useful in spaced names Examples from Eduard Imhof

Summary - positioning Point symbols:   horizontal lettering, close to the point, top right preferred Line symbols:     along line and above it, following orientation of line Area symbols:    centred in area, indicating orientation and space

Part of a World map – following all the lettering rules Lettering is like a hockey referee – if he doesn’t make any mistakes, you don’t notice him on the ice