Map Design Process

‣ Determine the objectives of the map.

‣ Decide on the data layers to be included.

‣ Plan a layout.

‣ Choose colors and symbols.

‣ Create the map.

Questions to consider in Map Design

‣ What is the purpose of the map?

‣ Who will be reading the map?

‣ Under what circumstances will the map be used? (medium)

‣ Is the map likely to be projected, copied, or faxed? (transfer)

Purpose Drives…‣ Data to be included

• Layers

• Density

‣ Map scale

‣ Map Coordinate System & Projection

‣ Nature of symbology

• Simple

• Complex

‣ Explanatory text

Audience Drives…

‣ Quantity of symbols

‣ Nature of symbology

‣ Nature of classification

• Tradition

‣ Explanatory text

Medium Drives…

‣ Layout size and shape

‣ Density of data

‣ Nature of symbology

• Colors

• Shapes

‣ Quantity of text

Potential for Transfer Drives…

‣ Detail level

‣ Colors chosen

‣ Size of text

Details of Map Design

‣ Layout: Balance

‣ Symbology

‣ Color or not to color

‣ Don’t overlook details

‣ Projection & coordinate system

Balance: Basic Principles

‣ Maximize size of map relative to titles, legends, etc.

‣ Distribute elements evenly on the page, avoiding blank or cluttered areas

‣ Align straight edges and use neatlines to enclose map elements

Planning the layout

Poor designBetter design

Choosing Symbols: Basic Principles‣ Natural earth tones & pastels are better than

strident colors

‣ Use bold colors sparingly for emphasis

‣ Manipulate psychological aspects of different colors and symbols

‣ Mimic phenomena, such as blue for water

‣ Make classes easy to understand

‣ Apply emphasis with color, size, and thickness

Symbol psychology

Where is the water?

Where is there less rain?Which towns have more people? What’s there?

Where’s the danger?

Vibrating Moiré pattern obscures roads

Use see-through lines to indicate urban areas

Symbol tricks

Choosing symbols

Which one looks more aesthetic?Which one is easier to understand?Which one shows the roads better?

Improving a world map

More pastels

Natural colors

Use ramp to indicate increasing population

Emphasize the important information

Pay attention to details!

Crowded

Unclear name

Abbreviations

Poor formatting

Much better!!!

B&W maps

‣ Special principles apply to maps that are black/white or will be copied or faxed.

• Design in B&W rather than assuming it will copy all right

• Use no more than 5 gray levels

• Use different patterns instead of colors

• B&W maps cannot show as much information

• Color balance rules still apply—use mostly light patterns; emphasize small regions with dark ones

Geologic map for color printing

Geologic map for B&W printing

Grids and Graticules Wizard

Text and titles

Pictures

Neatlines

Graphics

Graphic text tools

Font

Font style

Colors for fill, lines, markers

ShapesSelect

Elements

The Draw toolbar

Reviewing and printing

Printing maps

Not ready to print!

Export as picture file