Basic Map-Making

NLI – 2014

Dave Kramar

Location of Course Materials

http://serenity.gis.vt.edu/training/fdi/spring2014/gis2

Graphic Design

• As a cartographer, you do not have the total flexibility that an artist enjoys, but there are many areas of flexibility in map making.– This is obvious when a single assignment is

given to a group– Most flexible aspect is in layout arrangement:– What might these considerations include?

Selecting a Method of Classification

Separates values into separate bins (categories).

Four standard methods of classification:Natural Breaks (Jenks)QuantileEqual IntervalStandard Deviation

Manual selection of bin size.Number of bins should be no more

than 6.

Classifying Data

There are many options for making several styles of thematic maps.

Thematic Styles

Opening the layer properties provides many options for displaying data.

ColorOptions

Bin Ranges

Adjusting Classification Bins

Distribution

Descriptive StatsMeasures

Moveable Breaks

Graphic Design

• Poorly designed maps are not just hard on the eyes, they can actually convey misinformation and result in poor decision making.

Graphic Design

• Any problem has a number of solutions. • Many are equally valid scientifically, but

some are much more valid artistically.• Strive to MAXIMIZE both!!

Graphic Design

• When designing our maps we use a three stage process.

• Can anybody allude to what the three stages may be?

Graphic Design

• Imagination• Development of a Graphic Plan• Preparation of the worksheet using the

graphic plan

Graphic Design

• Imagination– Picture the map in the minds eye– Imagine what the components will look like

together

Graphic Design

• Develop a graphic plan:– Specify your initial selection of……..

– What?

Graphic Design

• Line weights – both for basemap & symbols, pen sizes

• Shading patterns – what grey tones will be used, what patterns, what measurement hierarchies exist?

• Lettering – select font and size of the lettering, select that which is required!

Graphic Design

• Initial location of map components – position within the frame of the map body, title, key. These may change, but looking at other maps will aid in the design.

• Symbolism – consider the sizes of symbols that will work in the graphic plan

• Map type – usually determined by now, but must be finalized!!

Graphic Design

• Preparation of the worksheet using this graphic plan– Rough out the plan on the computer screen

these days and then make the final decisions.– It used to be done with pencils on some type

of non-permanent material– You all are lucky you do not have to do things

that way!!!!

Graphic Design

• Preparation of the worksheet using this graphic plan– Everything is planned and put into place – no

changes should be made between this stage and the printing of the final copy!!!

– Usually these show up! • Ex. Stick in a north arrow, add words to the key,

legend size, etc.

Goals in Map Design

• When designing maps we have several goals we should strive to achieve…

• 7-8 to be precise…….Any ideas as to what these may be?

Goals in Map Design

• Legibility• Contrast• Figure/Ground Relationships• Eye Movement and Design• Balance• White Space Conservation• Area Orientation

Goals in Map Design

• To achieve contrast (in layout, not map symbols!!)– Size: larger items are visually more important

than smaller items– Equal sizes tend to be monotonous and

detract from interest, thus mixed sizes are best if possible to control.

Goals in Map Design

MAP

Scale/Legend

Title Block

DULL!!!

Goals in Map Design

• E.g. Imagine a map of a checkerboard vs. a map of the US

Goals in Map Design

• To achieve contrast (in layout, not map symbols!!)– Shape: varied shapes of map features create

greater interest than similar shapes.– Try to vary the shapes over which you have

control such as the general shape of the title and legend

Goals in Map Design

MAP

Scale/Legend

Title Block

Better than before, but now what’s up?

Goals in Map Design

• To achieve contrast (Map Symbols)– Value: Contrast in map symbols is also useful

and should be considered as an element in symbolism within the map body!

– In general, contrast in values tend to assign importance to features, thus the suggestion that value is ranked. Tougher to use with nominal symbols, esp. for areas!

Goals in Map Design

Goals in Map Design

• To achieve contrast (Map Symbols)– Darker areas tend to be considered more

important than lighter areas, thus use of value can easily be brought into line with expectations by creating VISUAL LEVELS

– May make the map more legible, more interesting, or both

Goals in Map Design

Goals in Map Design

• To achieve contrast (Map Symbols)– Figure/Ground Relationships: very closely

related to the contrast between visual levels.– Refers to the ability to determine the figure

from the ground (image vs. background). This is critical and often a function of good contrast!

Graphic Design• Eye Movement and Design

– Although the basic data may not be controllable, other aspects are!

Legend points to the map,Not away from it

Graphic Design• Eye Movement and Design

– Although the basic data may not be controllable, other aspects are!

Not as good as before

What might the effect be?

Graphic Design• Eye Movement and Design

– B. Pointed units will actually lead the eye to other units (or off of the map).

– Much like A, but suggests that designs can be tied together

Graphic Design

• Balance– This is a critical concern in layout design. – Maps should appear stable and balanced

around its center.– Doing this makes the map more pleasing to

view and read!

Graphic Design

• Balance– 2 centers exist:

• Visual Center and the Mean Center• How might these vary on rectangles (e.g. what we

typically find maps on)

Graphic Design

• Balance – The Map should balance where?

Visual Center

Mean Center

Graphic Design

Map

Here we have our title stating the purpose

Much better balance!!!

Graphic Design

• Balance– To consider balance, you must consider the

location and weights of each element, thus dark maps carry a lot of weight!

– Must either center it, or else place many lighter features opposite it to achieve balance.

Graphic Design

• Balance– Probably the number 1 concern. Maps way

out of balance show it badly!!– Also refers to the placement of features in

smaller zones, such as nominal symbols in counties (e.g. last project)

Graphic Design

• White Space Conservation– All map features should fill the allotted space

as nearly as possible.– Use the space, do not design map elements

that waste a lot of space (e.g. leave a lot of white space)

– The reduction of white space should be carried out with other goals in mind! What do I mean by this……what other goals?

Graphic Design

• White Space Conservation– It is possible that some shapes may make it

difficult to minimize white space. But there are options!!

– What might be some options to minimize white space given shapes that are not conducive to doing this?

Graphic Design

• White Space Conservation– 1. Rotate the shape somewhat. May allow a

larger representation of the mapped area within the frame. Use size as a good determinant of importance.

– 2. If part of the image is needed (say certain portions of the U.S.) you may be able to put your other elements over it in non-needed areas……Examples anyone?

Graphic Design

• Area Orientation– Even a map of unfamiliar areas need not be

puzzling as to the portion of the earth it identifies. (Base map consideration?)

– Add clues to the location of the country or area if it is not abundantly clear!!

– What are some possible clues we could use?

Graphic Design

• Area Orientation– More Complete Surroundings

Graphic Design

• Area Orientation– Index Maps

• A small scale map of the smallest area that is known to be familiar can quickly identify the region mapped

• E.g. map of Virginia with a small map of the U.S. showing where in the country it is

Graphic Design

• Area Orientation– Scale

• Scale is important to ALL maps even if the map in question is not be measureed. It sets a feeling of size.

• Very important for little known areas!!

Building the Map Components

• Map Body – most important, thus usually the largest (almost always)

Building the Map Components

• Title – Critical to understanding the map• Scale – Very Useful• Source – should be cited unless YOU

collected the data. This gives the map a sense of accuracy

Building the Map Components

• North Arrow – very important if north is not at the top of the map and the map doesn’t use a graticule. Often used in design to fill space (not the best idea)

• Legend – do we really need to explain why this is important?

Controls on Design and Layout

• Like for the generalization process, there are many similar controls that reduce your flexibility to map an area exactly as you might wish.

• On the other hand, overcoming these controls might win you an award for your creativity…..