Lecture 10: Map Design Geography 128 Analytical and Computer Cartography Spring 2007 Department of Geography University of California, Santa Barbara

What is a map? “ A graphic depiction of all or part of a geographic realm in which the real-world features have been replaced by symbols in their correct spatial location at a reduced scale. ” power line

Map Making and Map Using Process States Transformations

Symbolization Process Compilation – Scale & Projection – Data Selection & Conversion – Validation Checking Representation – Map Type – Dimension & Scaling Design – Layout & Cartographic Elements – Design Loop – Strong interrelationship with Symbol Selection Symbol Selection – Map production

Choosing a Map Type Cartographers have designed hundreds of map types: methods of cartographic representation. Not all GISs allow all types. Most have a set of basic types Depends heavily on the dimension of the data to be shown in the map figure.

Choosing the Wrong Type Fairly common GIS error. Due to lack of knowledge about cartographic options. Can still have perfect symbolization. Possibility of misinformation Definite reduction in communication effectiveness.

Map Types: Point Data Dot Picture Symbol Graduated Symbol

Map Types: Line Data Network Flow Isoline

Choropleth Area qualitative Stepped surface Map Types: Area Data

Map Types: Volume Data [Isoline, Stepped Surface] Dasymetric Hypsometric Gridded fishnet Hill-shaded Realistic perspective Image map

Map Types: Time Multiple views Animation – Moving map – Fly thru – Fly by Prediction of urban development to the year 2050 over southeastern Pennsylvania and part of Delaware using the SLEUTH model

Map Type Selection

Map Type Selection (cnt.)

Map Design Good map design requires that map elements be placed in a balanced arrangement within the neat line Design Loop – Create map layout – Draw on screen (proof plot) – Look – Edit – Repeat until happy – Make final plot Visual balance is affected by: – the "weight" of the symbols – the visual hierarchy of the symbols and elements – the location of the elements with respect to each other and the visual center of the map

The Parts of a Map: Map Elements

Symbol Variables

Symbol “ Weights ” Line weight Pattern ShadingHue

Visual Center 5% of height Landscape Portrait

Visual Layout Title Here Eye expects (1) balance and (2) alignment

Color and Map Design Color is a complex visual variable and in a GIS is specified by RGB or HSI values. Red, Green, Blue are additive primaries. Magenta, Cyan and Yellow are subtractive primaries. Saturation and Intensity map better onto values than hue. Subtractive Primaries Additive Primaries

Dimensions of Color HUE INTENSITY SATURATION

Simultaneous Contrast

Symbolization Errors

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