Cartographic Design

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Cartographic Design

• Alan A. Lew
• NUS
• OUTLINE
• 1. Map Properties
• - Transforming Reality
• 2. Map Types
• - Virtual Maps Perception
• 3. Basic Map Content
• 4. Map Communication

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1. Map Properties

• 1.1. - Maps Show Locations
• Distance
• Direction
• Adjacency
• Insideness / Outsideness
• Patterns
• Connectivity/Networks
• 1.2. - Attributes/Characteristics of Places
• Place names
• Population, Elevation, etc.

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1.3. - Scaling of Reality

• smaller than area portrayed
• Scale (3 types)
• 1.3.1. - Representative Fraction
• 1.3.2. - Text Scale (Word Statement)
• 1.3.3. - Graphic Scale
• Large Scale/Small Scale
• Large 150 000 or greater (smaller number)
• Small 1250 000 or smaller (bigger number)
• Readings NOTE Do Not Need to Know the US
  Customary Units of Measurement

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1.4. - Transformation of Reality

• Curved earth on a Flat surface
• Larger Area More Distortion
• 1.4.1. Projections
• No Perfect Projection
• Equal Area, Equidistant, Conformal (shape)
• 1.4.2. Coordinate Grid Systems
• maintain location information on distorted
  surface
• Latitude/Longitude
• Universal Transverse Mercator
• Local Plane Coordinate Systems

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1.5. - Generalising Reality

• 1.5.1. SELECTION
• what to Include and what to Ignore
• 1.5.2. SIMPLIFICATION
• of shapes and lines - made less complex
• 1.5.3. COMBINATION
• of several similar objects grouped into one
• 1.5.4. LOCATION SHIFT
• if things are too close together
• 1.5.5. SIZE EXAGERATIONS
• for things that are too small
• Scale is Independent of Generalisation

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1.5. (Generalizing cont.) - Symbol Types

• 1.5.6. Points
• Distribution
• Shape (geometric, pictoral)
• Size, Color (type, quantity)
• 1.5.7. Lines
• Qualitative Line pattern (geometric, pictoral)
• Quantitative Size, Thickness, Color
• 1.5.8. Polygon/Area
• Qalitative (exists or not)
• Quantitative (degree/value shown by Pattern or
  Color)

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2. Map Function Type

• 2.1. FUNCTIONAL USES
• Planimetric Maps - no relief
• Oultine / Base maps
• Cadastral/Property Maps
• Topographic Maps - show relief
• Engineering Plans
• Road Maps Charts - navigation
• Thematic Maps
• Dot Maps
• Choropleth Maps - shade/colour
• Cartograms

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2.2. - Virtual Maps

• Virtual can be made real
• Real Hard copy maps
• 2.2.1 - Computer screen maps
• 2.2.2 - Remote sensing
• Imagery
• Aerial Photographs
• Vertical, Oblique, Orthogonal
• Satellite Images
• Misc. Data sources
• handwritten notes
• survey measurements

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2.2.3. Mental maps

• Kevin Lynch, Image of the City (1961)
• 1 - Boundaries
• 2 - Barriers
• 3 - Routes
• 4 - Landmarks
• which people might use to orient themselves
  within the city
• 5 - Activity Centres
• 6 - Regions / Areas / Neighbourhoods
• Behavioural space / maps
• Images / opinions of places and the world
• Marketing applications

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2.3. Approach

• 2.3.1. Map Accuracy
• Map Geometry Geomatics Geodesy
• Surveying, Civil Engineering, Utilities,
  Infrastructure, Property Development
• 2.3.2. Map Technology
• Technological Effiency/GIS
• Urban Planning (general) and Natural Resource
  Management
• 2.3.3. Map Communication and Design
• focus on Perception
• Color, Balance, Orientation, Pattern, Form
• Graphics Designers and Publishers

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3. Basic Map Contents

• 3.1. Every Map Should Have
• Title - and Purpose, if Thematic
• North Arrow
• Scale Indicator
• Legend
• 3.2. Recommended Contents
• Grid/Location system
• Date
• Cartographers Name
• Projection

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4. Map Communication Model

• Map Author --gt Intended Map Message --gt Map
  Technique (the MAP) --gt Map Reader --gt Map
  Message Received
• Goal
• INTENDED MESSAGE RECEIVED MESSAGE
• Intended Message
• What Is INCLUDED and what is NOT INCLUDED
• Biggest Problem - Trying to Include TOO MUCH
• Map Technique
• How Best to Present the Information
• Map Reader - Perception and Cognition

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Noise

• distortions and unwanted messages
• 4.1 - Map Author Noise
• INACCURATE or INCOMPLETE DATA
• UNCLEAR or UNFOCUSSED about MESSAGE
• cannot decide what to keep and leave out
• unfamiliar with map limitations
• poorly communicates intent to Map Maker
• 4.2 - Map Maker / Technique Noise
• POOR DESIGN
• Cluttered/Excess Data, Unclear, Poor Layout
• Printing Process problems

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4.3. - Map Reader

• PERCEPTUAL NOISE
• 4.3.1. Visual Perception
• biological - preceeds Cognition
• Apparent relative size of objects
• tend to visually Underestimate Large Dot Sizes
  compared to Small
• Figure-Ground Contrast
• cannot see features if they do not Stand Out from
  the background
• Tonal/Color Contrast
• poor contrast (BW) or too many colors
• Too Many Symbols

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4.3. Map Reader (cont.)

• 4.3.2. Attitude
• toward Maps in General
• can be Overcome through map Design
• toward the Map being Viewed
• Interesting, Uninteresting or even Repelled
• 4.3.3. Cognition
• Ability to Decode a Map
• Increases with
• Intelligence or Map Knowledge
• Experience with Similar Maps
• Readers Understanding from the Map can EXCEED
  that of the Map Author

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SUMMARY

• 1. Map Properties
• Location, Place Characteristics
• Scaling, Transforming, Generalizing (Symbols)
• 2. Map Types
• Functional Uses
• Virtual Maps Perception
• Approach
• 3. Basic Map Contents
• 4. Map Communication
• Author, Cartographer, Reader