Makin’ Maps

Props to Dr. Gant (Indiana), Dr. Clark (Arizona) Map Design Design is a process, a sequential ordering of events Maps designed to communicate ideas Efficient and effective map design will facilitate the transfer of knowledge between map author and percipient Props to Dr. Gant (Indiana), Dr. Clark (Arizona)

Cartographic Design Map design - art of cartography ability to arrange maps elements so that map is: interesting to look at effective in communicating information

What Makes a Good Map? How well does map communicate to your audience? What is the motive, intent, or goal of the map? Who will read the map? Where will the map be used? What data is available for the composition of the map? What resources are available in terms of both time and equipment?

Deciding on a map type…

Map Types: Point Data Dot Picture Symbol Graduated Symbol Topographic

Map Types: Line Data Network Flow

Map Types: Area Data Choropleth Area qualitative Stepped surface Isoline / Isopleth

Map Types: Volume Data [Isopleth, Stepped Surface] Realistic perspective Hill-shaded Image map

Choosing Types Check the data Continuous Discrete Accuracy & Precision Reliability Dimension (Point, Line, Area, Volume) Scale of Measurement (Nominal etc.) Classification (equal interval, quintiles, etc)

Basic Elements of Map Composition

Basic Elements of Map Composition Basic map elements: Information commonly needed by the map reader title, scale, legend, body of the map, north arrow, cartographer, neatline, date of production, projection used, and information about sources

Title & Subtitle Thematic Overlay Neatline Base map Legend Scale Map Author and Date Projection North Arrow Source

Elements (that should be) found on every map Distance or Scale Direction Legend Sources of information When processed

Does a North arrow make sense on this map?

Directional Indicator - North Arrow include when an unusual orientation used (west up) include when direction not obvious typically used on large scale maps where direction applicable everywhere use graticule on smaller scale maps instead of North arrow

Elements that enhance effective communication Neatlines Locator maps Inset maps

Use of a Location Map

So…. Those are the elements but how should we arrange them? The ART of Cartography…..

The Need for Design To appear professional and avoid errors, maps should reflect cartographic knowledge about map design. A map has a visual grammar or structure that must be understood and used if the best map design is desired. Cartographic convention (e.g. forests should be green).

External Controls affecting Map Design 1. Purpose of map – client will dictate, influences what you will show and how 2. Topic of map – influences choice of base map, scale 3. Page layout/size – influences scale, level of detail you can show Other factors you can think of…?

The Design Process Creativity Visualization Experimentation Aesthetics incorporating visual images into thought must be able to visualize alternate solutions Experimentation explore alternate solutions good design may require many iterations Aesthetics harmony, composition, clarity

Base / symbols are “meat” of the map Cartographic research tells us that the most important elements of a map are: Base Symbolization Title Legend Base / symbols are “meat” of the map Base – locational framework Symbols – subject matter Need to design map so that these elements dominate the map layout/design

Visual Ordering of Map Elements Success of map depends on effective visual ordering of map elements 2 forms of visual ordering: Planar organization – concerns the way we arrange elements on a page Visual balance Focus of attention Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy) - the manner in which importance of elements is emphasized Figure-ground organization Contrast

Planar Organization Visual Balance Focus of Attention Sizing of elements relative to one another Division of space Relative positions of elements should appear logical Focus of Attention Optical center vs. geometric center Natural eye movement across a page

Optical Center vs. Geometric Center

Natural eye movement across a page Focus Field Fringe Natural eye movement across a page

Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy) Figure-Ground organization Contrast Line character and weight Texture Value Detail Color

Figure-Ground Organization Object of attention, standing out from the background Ground Formless background space Ways of establishing strong figure-ground relationships Value contrast Textural contrast Pattern orientation Strong edges Location Floating figure above other elements Superimposition of text

Lack of contrast resulting in poor figure-ground perception Better contrast resulting in good figure-ground perception

Figure-Ground Value Contrast

Figure-Ground Textural Variation

Centrally located features more easily seen

Figure ‘floating’ on top on Ground Superimposition draws attention to Figure

Contrast Fundamental in developing strong Figure-Ground relationships Design principles Vary line widths Vary line character Vary value (color or saturation) Vary texture/pattern

Symbol “weight” Line weight Pattern Shading Hue

Example of good line contrast Example of poor line contrast Example of good line contrast

Dimensions of Color HUE INTENSITY SATURATION

Making the symbols and lettering…

A word about Scale and Generalization Smaller scale means fewer features. Smaller scale means smoother features. Smaller scale means combining features. Smaller scale means displacing features.

Using symbols…

Type Placement and Attributes Need to consider the most effective way of positioning type on a map Labeling Point Symbols Labeling Linear Features Labeling Areas Title and Legend text

Labeling Point Symbols Some guidelines Name of ports and harbor towns placed seaward Names of towns should be on side of a river where the town is located Do not overlap the coastlines or rivers with names

Labeling Linear Features Roads, rivers, streams, highways, railroads… Labels should be set as often as necessary along a feature to facilitate identification Ideally, above a horizontal stretch but, not always possible For rivers, italics preferred Keep text off of feature

Labeling Areas Oceans, bays, large lakes, countries, states, counties… Show extent of the feature by letterspacing label

Text: Selection and Placement 6 6 e u t o R S U u d M New York e k 2 a L BM 232 CA NV POINT LINE AREA Figure 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 and down on the right. Areas: On a gently curved line following the shape of the figure and upright.

Text placement Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Path right Santa Barbara P a t h D o w n Santa Barbara L a g o o n

Title and Legend Text Title generally the most important text on map – largest type size Subtitle – smaller type size Can use title boxes to overlap other map features Wording of titles also very important

Notice: Water Features in italics Position of text around points Figure/ground relationships

Typography Functions of lettering Characteristics of lettering General reference maps Names places Labels features Thematic maps Used for titles, legends, etc. Characteristics of lettering Typeface – letters, numbers, special characters of one specific design (Ex: Times New Roman) Fonts – full set of characters of one size of a typeface (Ex: Times New Roman 10 point) Placement Spacing

Main Concerns in Selecting Type Legibility and Discernibility Harmony Traditionally, best to limit number of typefaces used on a map to 1 or 2 Reduced complexity Cleaner looking map Choice of typeface should have meaning if using more than 1 Best on simpler maps to use 1 typeface, vary the form (size, style) to provide contrast between features

Style/form Plain cultural features Italic water, natural features Bold emphasis Size Caps – label larger features (countries, oceans, large cities) Upper&lower case – for smaller, less dominant features Qualitative differences Quantitative differences

Size of Type What does 12 point font mean? Point system used to determine height of type Archaic system of measurement from early days of printing (using metal block type) Measured from top of highest ascender in font to bottom of lowest descender In metal block terms : 1 point = .014” 72 points = 1” tall type so…6 pt. = .084” For a page size map, a lower limit of 6 points fairly safe – still discernible

So, when you make your map… 1) Consult this powerpoint off webpage 2) Really think about the design 3) Look at examples from last year’s class, but… Your map should be waaay more kick ass than theirs