Map Elements-L6-.pdf

Map Elements, Design And Map colors Map Elements • Almost all maps must include certain basic elements that provide the reader with critical information. Among these are the title, scale, legend, body of the map, north arrow, cartographer, neatline, date of production, projection used, and inform...

Map Elements, Design And Map colors Map Elements • Almost all maps must include certain basic elements that provide the reader with critical information. Among these are the title, scale, legend, body of the map, north arrow, cartographer, neatline, date of production, projection used, and information about sources. • The placement of this information and the style of its depiction will vary greatly from map to map depending - as always - on the audience and message. Some elements are found on almost all maps no matter what the theme, others are depend heavily on the context in which the map will be read. • Elements that are found on almost all maps: Title, Scale, Direction, Legend, Sources of information and how processed. • Elements that are sensitive to context: Sub-title, Projection, Graticule, Cartographer, and Date of production • Elements that are used selectively to assist effective communication: Neatlines, Locator, Accompanying text. Map Elements • Neatline/Frameline – same or separate? • Title, Sub-title – Think about type placement. • Legend/Key to symbols – when is it important? • Scale – do you always need this? • Orientation (North Arrow) – do you always need this? • Source of data (if needed) • Accompanying text – do you need it? Time? • Author, Date prepared Map Elements There should be a strong reason for each element placed on a map and for its composition • As you develop a design for a map, think carefully about every element - does it play necessary function, could it be simplified, does it require explanation, is it of critical importance to reader comprehension, or only of background interest. Such questioning of every detail is important to effective map making. • Everything that appears on a map should be there for a strong reason relating to message and audience. Map Symbols • Pictographic (may be representative) • Medical Facilities. • Restroom is shown by Man/Woman sign. • Geometric Symbols • Circles, stars, other basic shapes. • Not representational. • May be varied in space (3D maps), location, size, spacing, shade, texture to express different ideas. ● Symbols may be varied in size, shape, value, texture, hue, and orientation. Visual Elements • Balance among elements - where is the center of the page • Contrast among elements – – – – – Lines Textures Value Color Details Reader’s Eye-Movement (that’s not their eye! Right-to-left languages are NOT included) focus field fringe Arrange elements accordingly Visualbalanceinmaps • Arrange elements to reflect their importance and then design their overall balance in the map frame. The idea here is to distribute the elements as evenly as possible within the map frame to avoid unnecessary crowding or, conversely, large blank areas. The cartographer can also bring into line map elements within the frame to allow readers to more easily scan the page. Experimentwithmaplayouts • Experimentation is often required to achieve an effective layout. You might begin by preparing some simple sketches of you map blocking out how you will use the available space. • Sketches such as this allow you to consider alternative layouts before you begin to compose the elements in detail. Sometimes computer-assisted drafting systems can be useful at this stage because of the ease with which they permit you to experiment with possible layouts Visual Elements Elements are balanced within the visual hierarchy and the frame of the map • The cartographer must determine importance of each map element and its priority within the overall map design. • The most important elements in a given design should be featured in more important positions and perhaps occupy a larger area within the map frame. • As a first approximation, the most important information should be featured near the top or to the left of the map. Less important and ancillary map elements can be positioned toward the bottom and right. • In this way, the importance of the various map elements can be matched to the visual hierarchy of the map itself. In general terms, the importance of a given map element should be reflected in its position and the amount space it occupies on the map. Visual Elements Arrange elements accordingly Visual Elements “Less is more” • As you consider the elements of your map, it is sometimes useful to apply the adage “less is more”. • As you work, consider ways in which you can simplify your design and make it more legible. • Too much detail or too complex a layout can confuse readers and work against effective communication. • Do not avoid experiments, but be sure to test them Visual Contrast Visual contrast relates how map features and page elements contrast with each other and their background. To understand this principle at work, consider your inability to see well in a dark environment Cartographic Design Includes • Conceptualization of the map • Visualization of the map • Construction of the map • Is an art to good map design • Is partly mental, partly physical process in which maps are considered (Imagine) and created Design Principles Legibility Visual Contrast Figure Ground Balance Figure-Ground relationship • Separation Figure and Map back ground is called Figure Ground Relationship • FIGURE: The part of the map to which we pay attention. The subject matter, the features to which viewers must notice City blocks are the figure • GROUND: What is not figure is ground. Typefaces –Placement of lettering • Try to achieve “harmony”: use minimal variation in type, clean appearance • Focus on legibility Type rules: point features Type rules: line features ● ● ● Avoid upside-down type Avoid stretching out too much Place text from bottom-to-top, but first try to place horizontally to ease reading Type rules: use this when in doubt Map Artistic Maps should have “harmony” within themselves. An ugly map might be accurate, but is less likely to inspire confidence. -- John K. Wright, a noted map critic • “Harmony” • Composition • Clarity