1. Elements of Map Composition OR How to make a decent map!

2. Steps to Creating a Map Define the Purpose of the map –Audience? –How will map be used? Restatement into a design problem Visualization to Creation Design solution - arrangement of map’s image elements to facilitate communication –Sort of an outline Graphic design

3. The Well Designed Map… Has a single purpose! Size and scale determine the level of detail You cannot simply blow up a map from 8.5-11 to something that would hang on the wall. A small map size will limit detail A large map viewed from a distance has same problem Reader can easily interpret features Reader can instantaneously understand its message (or not, if that is the purpose).

4. For example If you were trying to make the case that you should be able to limit the publics use of your lake which map would you use?

5. Elements of a thematic map Title Legend Scale Credits Mapped and unmapped areas Graticule Borders and neatlines Symbols Place names and labels

6. Title Legend Scale Credits Unmapped Area Mapped Area Gradicule Border Neatline Purpose, metadata

7. No Placenames ArcView Export screw up in 8.3! Only went to 3000 m in Layout! Too Much White Space!

8. The elements one-by-one Title –Draws attention by virtue of its size (big!) –focuses attention on primary purpose of content of map –not always needed Legend –Principle reference to symbology –MUST be there

9. The elements one-by-one Scale –A MUST! –Types graphic -- the bar verbal -- 1” = 1 mile (watch this one) a ratio 1/24,000 (this one too) –Because of ubiquitous nature of Xerox machines the graphic scale is a must, the others are optional

10. The elements one-by-one Credits –another, older, term for metadata –Some metadata can be placed on map Data source Statement of accuracy, both spatial and attribute Date data collected, date map made Your name, assignment # etc…

11. The elements one-by-one Mapped and unmapped areas –Objects, land, water, and other geographical features important to the purpose of the map –makes the composition a map rather than a diagram –The most prominent map element Graticule & Grids –Graticule – geographic coordinates –Often omitted useful if location info is important and there are no features like roads or steams Or if you need to fill space with something –Grid - feature at B3

12. The elements one-by-one Borders and neatlines –Borders serve to restrain eye movement and focus attention on the map. A Border surrounds all the elements of a map. –Neatlines are: finer than borders drawn inside borders mainly decoration

13. Borders or Not You can use solid fills to define map area Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf

14. The elements one-by-one Symbology –can be actual symbols (style of city point) and/or colors and patterns –most important part of map -- if user does not know what the symbolization is the map is useless –Designer has little control over placement (location should be as accurate as possible given scale) but can control size and color

15. The elements one-by-one Place names and labels –Primary means of communicating to user –Orients user on map (similar to Graticule) –Can provide important info re map purpose

16. Composition You have all the data You have the symbolization plan Now you have to visualize the map –A creative process –Trial and error process Where to put borders, neatlines What style of borders, neatlines Where does the legend go? The title And so on

17. Composition Purpose of composition –Forces designer or organize the visual material –Stresses the purpose of the map –Directs the users attention –Develops an aesthetic approach for the map

18. Composition: Planar Organization Balance –visual impact of arrangement is the map “heavy” at top, bottom, sides??? Geometric center Visual center: 5% height above Geometric center Arrange content around this point

19. Visual weight depends on location –obj weight increases with distance from center –obj at top are heavier than those at bottom –obj on right are heavier than those on left depends on size (Duh!) depends on color, interest, and isolation –Red>Blue, Bright>dark –complex > simple –isolated > groups For Example …

21. Which is better balanced?

22. More Visual Balance ArtistEngineer

23. Unequal divisions of space more interesting than equal divisions

24. Focus Field Movement of reader’s eye - upper left to lower right

25. Using Eye Movement Eye goes left to right Generally you want the reader to see the map BEFORE seeing the legend – can’t always do#

26. St. Louis too far from visual center, balance not bad, however Better, but a little heavy on right Balance with legend etc.

27. Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf

28. Location of St, Louis

30. Size / white space problems

32. Text Use mixture of upper and lower case ALL UPPER CASE IS HARDER TO READ Use sans serif text No fancy fonts Big print for important stuff Little print for not so important stuff

33. Using Color Color is tricky There are definite color preferences There are definite color combination preferences There are standard color codes (like for planning) The map should NOT be garish!

34. So Creating maps is a creating a document for a specific purpose -- to communicate something to the reader It is an iterative process There are some basic rules or guides that can be used – described above an in the on-line course module.

35. Summary of Guidelines 1)Map layout – where are the pieces going to go – major pieces – visual center – eye path – uneven juxtaposition of parts a)The map area and what’s in it b)Legend placement (usually to right of map c)Scale bar, North Arrow d)Balance e)White space 2)Map Title – Large – not always needed

36. Summary of Guidelines 3)Credits (Metadata) usually present 4)For FOR557- Author’s name & date! 5)Borders and neatlines. a)Border around ALL map pieces or solid fill b)Neatlines (or fill) around (in) various pieces 6) Color – tricky – but not garish!

37. Map Evaluation Criteria Graphic Map ……………………………………..50% –Border (or fill)……………10% –White space …………………5% –Balance…………………………...5% –Color………………………………..5% –N arrow, legend …………..10% –Neatlines (or fill)…………..5% –Graphics ……………………….10% Total ………………………………………….……….50%

38. Map Evaluation Criteria Title …………………………………………..5% Legend ………………………………………20% –All features represented –Only those specific feature types present –Good graphically Scale Bar …………………………………..10% Credits ………………………………… …….5% Map Works…………………………………10% Sub Total……………………………………………..50% Grand Total……………………………………………………100%