DESIGN PRINCIPLES IN CARTOGRAPHY 1. Graphic hierarchy: Need to be able to distinguish between foreground and background so that readers can focus on the figure rather rath er than the background Enhance figure-ground relationship: - The smaller of two areas area s with contrasting values will usuall y stand out as the figure - Texture contrast is effective - Emphasized with a strong and crisp outline - Figure is centrally centrall y located and closed - An area of partiall y hidden background will make the figure appears to be on top of the background - Use of legend and labels - Use contrasting hues (yellow-black or white — blue), complementary colors are not effective
2. Color logic: Perception of graphics: a. Limitations of the eyes - We can only see maximum 12 colors - 7 shades of the same color - Color blindness b. Texture vibration can be a distraction
3. Geographic context: refers to map elements that provide critical information to readers a. Elements found on all maps (Eg. distance/scale, direction, legend, source of information) b. Elements that are sensitive to content (Eg. Title, cartographer, date of production) c. Elements that are used selectively to assist effective communication communication (Eg. neatline, locator map, inset map, index map) [Scale] Problems: difficulties in setting appropriate map scale
Sma Small sca scale map = larger aerial coverage/problem area shown, the problem may appear insignificant L arg e scale scale map = smaller aerial coverage, can cause panic because the problem appears to be everywhere
Solut Solutii on Use a large scale map along with a regional or state locator inset map
[Titles] Help establish the place, subject and temporal context (Eg. Pop. change in Hong Kong, 2008)
[Legends (headings)] Provide further details (SHOULD NOT BE JUST “KEY” OR “LEGEND”) Example: Literacy rate (%), Millions of US dollars [Source and production dates] Acknowledge data sources in the presentation of map Specify date of data (when collected) and date of production (when the map was created) 4. Visual balance Experimenting with map layout a. Develop sketches first b. Experiment with possible layouts in a computerized environment Testing visual balance:
Guidelines in achieving visual balance: a. Distribute map elements as evenly as possible to avoid unnecessary crowding or blank areas b. There should be a defensible reason for each element placed on a map c. Less is more, simplify simplif y to make it more readable
Two centers of an image space: An image has two centers; a geometric center and an optical center. Important map objects should be placed around the optical center Example: Larger objects look heavier, red objects look heavier than blue objects isolated objects look heavier than those surrounded by other elements, regular shaped objects look heavier than irregular ones Other methods of of achieving balance: the Golden Rule Rule (1:1.618) 5. Lettering - Legibility is defined as the smallest symbol that can be easily read from a certain distance - The minimum size of the smallest symbol should be thought in advance when you know the distance the map is to be viewed from - Many maps failed because the text, point or line symbols are too small (unreadable, difficult to find the symbol from a distance) Readability of text on a map: map: Selected font: some fonts may not be supported by the computer Font variation: simple, bold, capital lettering improve readability Font size: should not be smaller than 10 point Font orientation: upright Figure-ground relationship: apply cast shadow for important text or add a outline to text Positioning Guidelines: Guidelines: Points: Name should be entirely on land
or water (top right is referred then left then middle) Line: Name should be placed alongside or parallel to the line, avoid complicated curvature Area: Placed within the boundaries, letterspaced across the area, letter size should vary to reflect the hierarchy of regions (Country>states>cities>towns) This one is better
Map Design Process: Planning
Composing
Editing and Proofreading