Cartographic Design Principles Christopher Wesson London Borough of Redbridge
Cartographic Design Principles · 2018-07-19 · Cartographic Design Principles. Christopher Wesson. London Borough of Redbridge. So the foundation of better mapping, is to understand
So the foundation of better mapping, is to understand a set of principles that we believe instigate good map design.
Understanding of User Requirements
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The first of which, is to better understand what we are mapping. An effectively designed map is one in which the intended message is clearly communicated to the map user. This is only possible by fully understanding what that message is and how the map is intended to be used. The design process must start by identifying and fully understanding real user needs. What information does the map user require? How will they be using the map?
Example: Cartographer’s questionnaire
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As was covered earlier, it is often useful to have a checklist or questionnaire.
Consideration of Display Format
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To achieve maximum clarity a map should be designed from the very beginning with its final display medium in mind.
Example
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Things to consider are the map’s scale and resolution, colour mode (generally RGB for screen and CMYK for print), the size of paper or screen, the type of paper or screen; and interactivity and functionality options. Certain fonts work better on screen or in print. You may need to set rules on the minimum point size that will be legible on the final product; or the lightest shade of a particular colour that can be perceived on a mainstream device.
ExampleNationalGeographic
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It should be noted however, that these days it is possible to replicate printed maps on devices and vice versa.
Create a clear visual hierarchy
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The aim here is to draw attention to certain elements of the map and push those of less importance further down the visual plane - although certain features are less important they may still be required, if not then they should be removed. This helps the user differentiate between map features and helps them comprehend the maps message effectively.
Example
Stack of stones (left); GB Overview Map (right) Ordnance Survey
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The concept of figure-ground is key as it helps the user to distinguish between the main focus of the map (figure) and that which is background or contextual information (ground). In reality, there’s often many different layers the hierarchy. Think about what you see first to last on each of these images. The required contrast can be achieved by adjusting each of the visual variables.. By that we mean things like colour, shape, size and effects.
Simplicity
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The aim of map, if we put that into simple terms, is to transform information into knowledge. The inclusion of unnecessary information makes this process less effective and one should always assess that information’s value to the user against map clutter and confusion.
Example
Recent Development in the Crisis (Article on ISIS) New York Times
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So in the example from an online newspaper article, only the necessary map elements have been retained. Only key settlements have been labelled, and gives a very clear and uncluttered message of the situation on the ground. There is an argument for removing the hillshading (and roads) too, but you can see in the northeast it does add some context. Aside from this, no unnecessary graphical effects have been used so there is nothing to distract the user’s eye.
Legibility
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All map elements need to be legible, meaning that they are readable, understandable and recognisable.
Example
Map element choices (left); OS VectorMap District (right) Ordnance Survey
Text size, font, etc.Text size, font, etc.
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So, the graphic on the left is really to show the ways in which legibility can be improved: clear fonts, familiarity, generalization, etc. On the right: Buildings have been generalized, a lot of research went into the colours being used and their perceived hierarchy, fonts have been specifically chosen to work for both print and on-screen and at relatively small sizes (which is often a map requirement). Arial is derided in much of the map world but I’m yet to find a font that’s more legible for curved water names.
Consistency
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Consistency helps with the balance and understanding of a map. It allows features to form groups with makes the map easier to comprehend, and this leads to familiarity which makes the map both easy to read and perceived to be more reliable.
Example
Tube Map (and other London Underground maps)Transport for London
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There’s probably no greater example of consistency than the London Underground maps. A common aesthetic approach puts the user at ease. If the same symbols, fonts and label rules are applied uniformly across all the map variants, then once the user understands how that works they can recognise it immediately thereafter.
Accessibility
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Accessibility factors to consider in the design process include distribution formats and support, user abilities and disabilities, cost, and intuitiveness in use.
Example
Superwalker map series (left) Harveys Maps; OS Maps (right) Ordnance Survey
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So, accessibility can include many things, of which THE MOST IMPORTANT is that the map is usable. However, usability and accessibility can cover not only cartographic but also more practical things. For example with a walking map, it might be to ensure that its weather resistant. For a web map, it can be to ensure compatibility with web browsers and mobile devices, alternative styles and so on.
Preserve good composition
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Composition concerns the arrangement of all the different visual elements of map. You might have heard people talk about the harmonious whole, which is basically how the elements of the map are positioned and work with one another to create a successful composition.
Example
The Environmental World wall mapGlobal Mapping
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This is a really important stage in the design process as failure to get the composition right can undermine all effort that has gone before it and result in a wholly unsuccessful map. The aim here is to achieve balance but the ‘visual path’ that you want to take the user on should also be considered: the way the reader navigates through/around the map. It is worth noting here that the ‘visual centre’ is slightly above the actual centre, so the position of the main map in this example is perfect, and given the user is likely to be nearer to the bottom, it makes sense to have the smaller information here also. Then there is all the usual but ‘tried and tested’ features such as the title, logo, legend, locator map, copyright notice.
Summary
Although personal taste is subjective, following these principles gives favourable chance of achieving good cartographic design
The method of ‘design once, develop, and design again’ should be applied until all of the principles have been satisfied
‘A solution to a problem in math is either right or wrong, but a solution to a cartographic problem is only good or bad’ Eduard Imhof
